Avalanche: Mary Ellen

Sustained NNE winds aloft in Mary Ellen Gulch were channeling through the upper drainage and creating a variety of erratic wind currents. N, S, and E winds were observed all within seconds of each other. Crossloaded steep terrain features of Silver Creek Peak were prime concern and proved to be reactive to ski cuts. Two consecutive pockets pulled out in steep chutes on the east face. Both fanned out quickly but had marked wind slab characteristics of uneven crown depths up to 12" deep x 80' wide x 200' vertical. Although the sun was out all day, the temps remained cold in the wind zone and never felt too warm out of the gale. Many different user groups out and about today and so it is no wonder that the obs list includes multiple human and natural triggered avalanches being observed. I believe the continued winds tonight and into tomorrow will make these wind slabs much less manageable and a considerable danger exists around the compass above 9500'. This problem coupled with the persistent slab issues of NSF/SH make for a complex snowpack. Sheltered terrain is harder to find with the NNE winds and with sunny skies people will be crawling all over looking for fresh, skiable lines. Photos: 1. Two small wind slabs in center of frame in most prominent steep chutes running into bowl below. 2. Continuous wind transport was ongoing all day 3. N,S,E winds