Avalanche

Smiley/Beaver divide

VandenBos (off duty)Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns
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Quick report

Cracking
widespread
Collapsing
widespread

Widespread cracking and collapsing continues, but the frequency of these is decreasing.

Weather

Clear, cool, beautiful day. Wind increasing in afternoon, beginning to transport some snow out of the E/NE towards the end of the day

Snowpack

Effect of the 1/12 wind event is obvious in many places and at all elevations. Many slopes have a rigid, supportable wind board with a bit of PP/DF  -> FCsf from 1/13 resting on top. This combo can definitely make avalanches with a good slab on top. Many other slopes had all post 1/6 snow removed by 1/12 winds, and the 1/6 layer was at or just below the surface...basically starting fresh in places like this. 

Avalanche

Size
D1
Count
11
Aspect
SE
Trigger
AS
Elevation
9300 ft

Continuing to observe the aftermath of an impressively widespread avalanche cycle. There are many, many D2s out there, and a decent amount of thin-crowned but wide D2.5s and D3s. Many paths ran large relative to path, which I take as an early indicator of the potential for some very large, oddball avalanches as we build a larger slab on top of 1/6. More slides to add later....