Mill city, Pano shoulder- Mammoth Area - WIdespread Storm Instabilities

Storm instabilities were front and center for me along my tour today and conditions were actively worsening throughout the day.

• Widespread shooting cracks resulting in impressive spiderwebs on shallow slopes <30°
• I triggered several avalanches on small test slopes >30°. Both remotely as well as directly. All of these failed within the new snow and I would describe them as touchy.
• Early this morning, the recent storm snow was relatively low-density,  "blower." However, the temperatures rose as the day went on, and the storm snow became wet and heavy. By midday, things were starting to feel pretty upside down. It is worth noting I only traveled below 9000'. This may not have been as notable at higher elevations.

 

 

Several natural avalanches were observed, and I initiated several on small test slopes, both remotely and directly. Shooting cracks within the storm snow was widespread on any slope over 20 or so degrees in steepness.