Observation: Butler Basin

First time in upper Butler Basin this year, I was finding old avalanche crowns scattered all over the N, NE steeper ridge lines in the upper basin, from avalanches during last weeks storm. Since I hadn’t been there all year I took the time to dig a quick pit on a sheltered, shady E facing slope at 9000ft. There were a couple crust facet sandwiches that formed early season but not as bad as the higher elevation N facing terrain, but with settlement the slab has become a stout one finger slab with only the top 4 to 5 inches on top being fist. The wind seemed to be transporting snow on the high ridge lines and was also creating wind skins down lower in the drainage.

photos: old avalanches from last week and snowpit

Dense loose on sheltered shady slopes, damp on S,SE, SW, boot deep ski penetration.