Essex

•Coverage in the Middle Fork is scant below 5500' depending on tree canopy (in relation to snowfall intercept). Our descent line took us through a burn scar where there was a deeper base which allowed us to conservatively ski to 4500'. •The supportable crust from our last warm up existed to our high point of 7400' •Recent snow (4-8") made for enjoyable riding on low angle terrain. We did ski a steeper run (38*/SE) and could feel the underlying crust when turning. •The backdoor cold front that came in Sunday had buffed/scoured upper ridgelines and deposited dense wind slabs along atypical aspects (W). These windslabs (16") were unreactive and stomping cornices was like trying to stomp a curb. •Winds remained calm (although southeasterly when present) and sunshine prevailed throughout our tour. Overall, temps hovered right around the freezing mark but surface snow (up to 7400') on solar aspects was beginning to warm. •During our descent, we triggered a point release, wet, loose avalanche (D2) that ran half-path (2000'). It's origin was slow and steady as it gradually scoured away the recent snow and slid readily on the crust. •Boot-top, cold powder was experienced all the way to the railroad tracks and skied best in low angle terrain. Generally stable conditions prevailed. Recent snowfall began to warm on solar aspects, but remained dry on northerlies. Numerous point release, loose dry sloughs (D1) were observed in steeper, shaded terrain, while point release wet, loose avalanches (D1-D2) were observed on solar prone aspects.

Essex

Quick report

Weather

Avalanche