Thunder Meadows

Skied into Thunder Meadows on March 2nd, out on the 3rd. N aspects held a supportive crust with dry 5-10cm on top. No whoomphing or cracking. Obvious wind effect noted in windward areas and fist snow in the lees made for variable but mostly good skiing. S aspects were heavy and wet, noted around 11am both days, with a weak refreeze overnight. Ski pen 15cm into moist snow through the large cedar forests on exit made for heavy turns. Several size 1 wet loose avalanches witnessed along the SE chutes in Cabin Bowl in the afternoon of March 2nd. The NW side of Cabin appeared loaded with only one older size 1 slab noted (in pics) and nothing released recently. We avoided these steeper, connected slopes. Pit dug near the hut on the N slope. Buried surface hoar layer down 95cms overlies a melt freeze crust. Stubborn to trigger but would be capable of producing very large avalanches if triggered.

Swirling blowing snow in the bowl at the top of Cabin Bowl. No significant ridge top winds noted.

AM March 2nd - Ski pen 5-10cm, dry snow on supportive crust, N aspect BTL to treeline. PM March 2nd - Ski pen 10cm corn snow on crust, S aspect treeline. AM March 3rd - Ski pen 5-10cm dry snow on supportive crust, N aspect treeline. Ski pen 15 cm in moist snow, N aspect BTL.