East boulder April 5-8

Hudson Bay

allochris , Sunday 9th April, 2023 12:20AM

April 5-8, 2023 @ East Boulder. Condition changed dramatically since the light cold dry snow found on Apr 2-4. With rapid warming to above freezing temp. @ treeline elevation on April 5-6, avalanche cycle occured with continuous wind loading & light drizzle saturating the previously cold dry snow surface. Slide paths showed heavy debris terminating at near max or full runout, with size 2 avalanches on average. High al1pine on April 7-8 received continous significant snow transport from strong southerly wind, resulting in windslab thickness from 40cm to 1m. We treaded conservatively and avoided all slopes with overhead start zones and fat convexities. Observed multiple size 1-2 naturals with 40-50cm crowns located below cornices on NE aspect, including one successfully skier triggered (intentional) size 2 (~500m x ~500m, about 30-50cm thick), showing impressive rapid propagation and step-down characteristics (2 layers above the most recent boilerplate). April spring cleaning cycle has arrived. Due to the continuous wind loading and mild temperature in the alpine, we would rate the current condition (april 8) at East Boulder as 3-3-2 (considerable -considerable-moderate).

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