Snowpack

West Willow

Mikey ChurchSilver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains
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Weather

Cloud Cover
overcast
Snow Avail For Transport
moderate amounts

Generally pleasant weather with light wind and near freezing temperatures.

Snowpack

We found similar snowpacks at our two pit locations today: 5,300' NE and 6'300 E. Both had approximate HS 120cm, with 50cm of soft low-density snow sitting on top of the 12/7 rain crust, and a layer of weak facets directly below the 12/7 crust. In both locations the 12/7 rain crust has become noticeably weak and brittle. Stability tests showed several layers at storm and new/old snow interfaces within the upper snowpack, but most importantly showed propagation potential within the weak faceted layer beneath the brittle 12/7 rain crust with strong force. After seeing this result, we choose to play it safe by avoiding steep open avalanche terrain, and instead descended on a lower angle treed route.