Death Canyon/Stewarts Draw

Avalanche concerns today were related to new snow problems. Recent snow that has fallen the last two days sits on a poor interface of a widespread crust on W-S-E aspects. Recent low density snow varied from 4-6" (middle elevations) to 8-12" (upper elevations) and up to 16" on wind loaded slopes. Wind loaded terrain was isolated to upper elevations and reactive. We observed broken to scattered skies (intermittent sun) becoming clearer in the late afternoon. Snow was likely becoming denser and more reactive due to solar influence/greenhouse effect today. Some portions of the Tetons did not experience full solar affect today due to varied cloud cover (thicker clouds north). 

Wind slabs in the upper elevations will remain a concern Thursday. Combined with clearer skies this could increase reactivity of new snow, especially wind loaded terrain. Plenty of snow available for transport, although wind speed is forecasted to decrease. 

We triggered one D1-1.5 avalanche on a wind loaded slope off a ridgeline at 10,400' E aspect (see attached avalanche event).

The recent snow appears to be reactive due to the quality of the poor bonding interface (4/1 crust) more so than the slab quality of recent snow. Wind loaded terrain above the slope that avalanched did not produce any shooting cracks. Dry loose avlanches are continuing to release as easy as I observed yesterday on Taylor. 

Clearer skies and increasing temperatures tomorrow will make things interesting if slopes did not receive direct sunlight today. Recent snow on southerly aspects that received sun yesterday appear to be be bonding better today (a trend towards more stable snow after initial warming). A thin melt freeze crust developed yesterday/overnight that is capped with new snow that fell overnight ( found on W-S-E aspects below 9,500', more varied above 10,000').