Rescue Creek

Today was a quiet avalanche activity day in Rescue Creek.

• No avalanche activity was observed throughout the day. We didn't even see a roller ball. All previous wet loose avalanche activity was from previous days this week or earlier.
• Surface crust made fast travel conditions and was supportable until we transitioned to a northerly aspect of about 5700 feet.
• We dug at a pit on a north aspect around 6000 feet, and we got no propagating results.
• Spring diurnal weather patterns were clear, as several cycles of wet avalanche activity covered steep slopes. Many of the slides originated from rocky outcroppings.
• North aspects skied well above 5800 feet. Below that elevation, the north aspects were punchy wind-stiffen snow.  When we moved to a southerly aspect, the 1 to 2-inch surface crust was firm until around 5000 feet. The transition to wet snow was abrupt, and with the afternoon clouds, the descent was a race to stay ahead of the quickly refreezing snow.
• Cheers to the snowshoers that summited Mount Penrose and descended avalanche debris. An impressive showing of snowshoe skills.
• Additionally, we noted the low-flying plane over Rescue Basin, and we thank those flying for their observation and photos.

All avalanche activity was from earlier in the week.

Pit on North aspect @ 6000 feet. HS: 240. ECTX. 

• The top 6 inches of surface snow was soft and dry but consolidated from winds.
• The mid-January crust was absent or buried over 150 cm below the surface. Curious. 
• The right-side-up snowpack was progressively denser with depth.
• In the top 150 cm of the snowpack, we could not identify any layers of concern or crusts.
• Possibly a wind-loaded/crossloaded spot that buried mid-January crust deeper than other areas?