Chicken Rock Gully, Lip, Sluice and Right Gully in Tuckerman Ravine

Today, we had two objectives: 1) to assess whether the old wind slabs formed last week exhibited any signs of instability, and 2) to determine if the snow transported yesterday contributed to the formation of new wind slabs.

Regarding the older wind slabs, considerable time has elapsed since their formation, during which they have experienced both warming and cooling, notably a sharp temperature drop on Saturday. Our observations did not reveal any signs of persistent instability. These slabs were consistently hard, dense, and uniformly resistant to penetration by a ski pole, indicating a solidified state that allowed us to walk on top with minimal boot penetration. As we navigated through the terrain, we continuously discussed our observations and felt confident in our movement.

In contrast, evidence of recent wind-drifted snow was scarce. In a few sheltered spots at the ravine's base and at the bottom of Right Gully, we found a uniform layer of about an inch of softer snow. The heavily saltated snow, resulting from surface erosion under cold temperatures, often breaks down into small, easily wind-transported particles. These particles, being very small, icy, and formed under conditions unfavorable for bonding—Saturday's low temperatures that hinder sintering and a melt freeze crust that prevents adhesion—failed to form cohesive slabs. It would appear that continuous sluffing, resulted in the fine snow particles accumulating at the bases of steep slopes.