Avalanche

Queen Basin

Zach GuyGunnison
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Quick report

Cracking
isolated

Notable wind drifting today with flagging off alpine peaks developing by mid-morning.  Thin wind slabs were forming on some leeward terrain features at high elevations.  Winds kept wet loose avalanche concerns in check on wind-exposed terrain where we traveled, while protected cirques were getting wet and produced rollerballs.  There is still 6 to 10 inches of dry snow on high northerly slopes, which was getting redistributed by today's winds in some areas.  

Ski cut a few thin wind slabs in a steep northerly gulley. Slabs were 3" to 8" thick, forming from today's blowing snow.

Weather

Cloud Cover
few
Wind Loading
moderate
Snow Avail For Transport
small smounts

Moderate to strong winds produced ongoing light to moderate snow transport off of alpine terrain today. Clouds increased midday.

Avalanche

Size
D2.5
Type
HS
Count
7
Aspect
NE
Trigger
NC
Elevation
12600 ft

A handful of small wet loose avalanches ran yesterday or today from higher elevation, sunbaked terrain. There was a destructive cornice fall and slab avalanche off Baldy that appeared new (viewed from afar). Ski triggered a couple of harmless wind slabs.