Avalanche

Basin Chutes/Taylor Basin

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Quick report

Cracking
isolated

Wind was swirly in the morning, initially coming strongly from the east, then moved to be more southerly. Around 11am we saw signs of reactive, but unconsolidated wind slab on ridgelines. Triggered dry loose in steep north facing terrain and 2 small wind slabs where wind wrapped around a east ridge (see more below). Also saw cracking in some wind pillows and jumped on some reactive test slopes.

Weather

Cloud Cover
overcast
Wind Loading
moderate
Rain Elevation
8000

Winds were variable in intensity and direction.

Snowpack

Notable changes in the snow on new snow as we traveled through different aspects and elevations. Some crusts, slush and dry new snow under the current storm. We found some (wet) facets under some of the crusts.

Avalanche

Size
D1 R1
Type
SS
Aspect
NE
Trigger
AS
Elevation
9200 ft

Wind slabs were present but not widespread in Taylor Basin, primarily forming near ridgelines. This avalanche was not near a ridgeline, it was a bit lower in the basin after skiing down from the ridge on a more cross-loaded slope. The shot we skied was very soft and protected from the wind.