Bullmoose

<p>Windy day in the Bullmoose today. The snowpack could use a reload, lower elevations (below 4,000 feet) have a sun affected crust (breakable) on sun exposed aspects. Higher elevations above 5,000 feet had no breakable/sun crust however the winds were in the Strong range for most of the day. Upper elevation bands in the Alpine showed much cross loading, 1 Size 2+ Avalanche below a cornice (in Alpine). Wind slabs were prevalent on many aspects. We hunted for good snow between 5,000 and 4,000 feet and were succesfull in leeward treed terrain. Lots of riders have been out however and the Bullmoose could certainly use a reload. A couple of things to keep in mind in the snowpack: CTH 24 down 55cm on rounding facets (size .5 - 1mm) SP CTH 29 down 75cm on rounding facets beneath laminated rain crust (size 1 - 2 mm) SP ECTX From a stability perspective, the snowpack is in good shape, with increasing resistance to hand/finger testing the further down you descend in the snowpack. The overall snowpack depth was 150cm. Surface hoar as large as 1 - 2 cm was observed in well treed, wind protected areas. This may prove to be a concern once we do get a reload of new snow on that surface hoar. The air temperature was +2 degrees at noon, however the surface temperature of the snowpack remained well below 0 degrees celsius. For all intents and purposes the snowpack was right side up except for the leeward slopes which held obvious cross loaded wind slabs. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Alpine slopes, Mellow slopes, Dense trees, Convex slopes, Sunny slopes, Open trees.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Crusty, Wind affected, Powder.

Weather Conditions

Windy, Warm, Sunny.