Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Instability observed was on east and northeast facing wind affected terrain above treeline. We observed no instability on slopes that we traveled on below 8000' .
We observed moderate north winds above 8000' and associated wind transported snow. There was snow drifts in places and areas where windward terrain features have been wind scoured. East facing terrain at and above 8300' was where we were observing shooting cracks and small, skier triggered windslab avalanches on steep terrain features.Weather
- Air Temp
- 23
- Cloud Cover
- obscured
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- 5"
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Snowing about a centimeter an hour while we were ski touring. Foggy near and above treeline, winds were light to moderate out of the north above 8000' feet. Temperature was steady at about 23 degrees.
Avalanche
We triggered a small windslab avalanche on a steep inconsequential test slope directly above a 32 degree ENE slope we were planning to descend. After observing the slide and the numerous shooting cracks, we backed off the slope and headed for the low angle gladed terrain below treeline where we found snow that was unaffected by wind.