Quick report
We saw no cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches on The Throne today. We found 10-12" of dense new snow (measured 1.8" Snow Water Equivalent at 7900 ft). The new snow was sitting either on a crust above facets (on sunnier slopes) or just directly on weak, sugary, facets with little or no crusts (on shadier slopes). We did ECT at three locations (E aspect, 7900; E aspect 8200 ft, N aspect 8300 ft) and got ECTNs in the teens. There was some slight wind affect where we traveled, but minimal wind loading.
The new snow was still dry up high but had started to get heavy and sticky at lower elevations as we descended in early afternoon. Dirt patches were already visible along the snowmobile trail as we left.
We did see a recent avalanche on the "Football Field" on Saddle Peak from the highway as we were driving to the trailhead (see photo). It broke near the ridge line, ~200ft wide and ran ~1000 ft.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2 R2
- Aspect
- E
- Elevation
- 8700 ft
Saw this avalanche from the highway on the morning of 2/10. Looks to have broken about 200 ft wide and ran 1000 ft. Couldn't see the crown to estimate the depth. It looks to have broken in the wind loaded area below the ridgeline.