Weather

Smoky/Sawtooth transition

Ben VandenBosSawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns
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Observation photo 1Observation photo 2

Quick report

Great overnight freeze! Easy travel, snow was rough and hard in the shade until I left the snow before noon. High-quality corn skiing on E aspect at 11:15, I was seeking out the warmest micro aspects for the best skiing. We definitely lost a bit of coverage over the past 10 days, but less than expected based on the amount of SWE loss reported at weather stations. The snowpack that remains is riddled with ice crusts and thus far seems eager to freeze and slow to melt. I saw some small-ish loose wet slides, likely triggered by falling cornices in the past few days. I did not see any new, large wet slabs.

Weather

Clear, bright, and cool. Intermittent, variable wind.