Observation: Yellow Jacket

We did several hasty pits and could not find any density inversions within the storm snow, but on a wind-exposed slope at 9,500', we were able to get cracking in the 15-30 cm thick soft wind slab, where the adjacent slope had already avalanched. The recent storm snow had bonded well to the old snow surface, and we could not find any faceting from the layer of near-surface facets on mid and upper-elevation northerly slopes that were buried on Tuesday.

We traveled with a Considerable danger mindset, and avoided steeper terrain, especially in areas that were wind-loaded.

Photos:

- Low elevation, wet/loose snow

- Cornices above Alexander Basin

- Views into West and Main Porter Fork during a period of better visibility

- Traveling through the bottom of a debris pile from an avalanche that occurred a few hours earlier

- The next impulse with an unstable airmass

- The importance of ski partners willing to embrace all conditions

Heavy, damp snow down low with medium-density snow up high.

 

Rain/snow line was 7k, but lowered in the afternoon.

 

The old snow surface above 7,500' became supportable, below that elevation, the snowpack was isothermal and wet. With colder air arriving overnight, this should help the lower elevations "lock up" somewhat.