Gargoyles/Columnar

Observed several large avalanches off NE to NW facing aspects on columnar and gargoyle peaks. All looked to be wind loaded pockets at ridgetop that failed due to cornice likely at the tail end of the storm. Varying sizes but appears to only be storm slabs with no step down under the old crust layer. Skiing north face of gargoyles was ~5-10cm on a firm crust layer.

I've been skiing in the area throughout the storm cycle and it was nice to poke up a bit higher today to see what was going on. Prior to the weekends storm, the snowpack was relatively shallow and had formed a bit of a firm crust. The storm came in with an initial cold pulse that dropped 30-40cm with strong winds from the South. The second pulse was warmer with a touch less wind and similar snowfall amounts. Cornices have formed at ridgetop and lee features were loaded before undergoing a fairly extensive natural cycle at the tail end of the storm. Sun on Sunday really seems to have firmed up south facing slopes without causing much of a crust. Ski pen has reduced from 30cm during the storm to 10-15 at most. Shady aspects are skiing well. NW-NE facing slopes at ridgetop have slid on what appears to be the pre-storm surface crust. Widespread surface hoar is growing in any shady aspect around treeline elevation. No reaction to any ski cutting on S or N aspects and a refrigerator sized cornice drop on the N face of the gargoyles had no result.