Granite

Went back to Granite with hopes that the 6-8 inches of new snow would improve conditions. Well, it helped with travel conditions-was able to skin from the trailhead today and it allowed for leaving the trail sooner. Plus it helped improve coverage, but it ****significantly**** increased the avalanche danger. We experienced widespread cracking and collapsing of the new snow once above 7700’ in micro terrain features. Pretty much every new small piece of terrain we encountered, we felt collapsing and noticeable cracks in the new snow. Once on the more defined ridge line, creeping towards the small cornices, boom, a crack extending 30 feet above and 40 feet below us. We stomped on a cornice above a steep north facing chute, and it dropped easily and pulled out the entire chute. Finally, when we got to where I had ski cut small wind slabs yesterday, it had already slide naturally during the storm. All running on the frozen old snow bed surface. Sensitive… This was all the information we needed and we retreated with our tails between our legs staying out of avalanche terrain, on the ridge, and bypassing our intended route for safer terrain. Today was not a day to mess around... Descending was challenging with tough visibility, many sharks lurking beneath the new snow, and thicker new snow. Discouraging but I guess that’s what I get for getting my hopes up. Stay safe out there!!!

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