Scarp Ridge and Evan's Basin

The Persistent Slab problem remains sensitive to human triggers on East aspects near and below treeline. We observed frequent cracking and collapsing and remotely triggered three small (D1 - D 1.5) avalanches on East aspects. As we gained elevation, the snowpack became quieter as slabs became thicker and increasingly stubborn to trigger. Southeast aspects near and above treeline were stubborn. 

With a little effort, like a stomp or a ski plunge, we were able to observe frequent cracking and collapses along the ridge. A few of these collapses propagated into East-facing terrain features and resulted in avalanches. No signs of instability were observed on steep Southerly aspects.

About 4" - 5" of new, settled snow exists below treeline

More of the same, with a little effort required to produce obvious signs of instability where the persistent slab avalanche problem exists. Otherwise, just walking along the snowpack was mostly quiet and ski pen is about 10 to 15cm. Where we were triggering avalanches and producing shooting cracks on east aspects, we didn't see those cracks extend into the southeast side of the terrain features. The snowpack height at 11,000, averaged around 120 to 130cm. As the snowpack depth increased with elevation, we had to be more specific about finding a trigger point to initiate a collapse or shooting cracks. Above 11,500, the upper snowpack became harder along the ridge from previous winds, and we had no chance of collapsing those hard wind wales. 

Skiing a south-facing aspect at the end of the day from Scarps Ridge down to Kebler was wonderful. No avalanche concern was encountered there.