Quick report
Started at Great Gulf around noon and immediately saw active wet loose and roller ball activity at the bottom of more E/NE aspects like Pipeline, Drainpipe and Activator. Most northern aspects were still completely frozen, wind scoured and shiny, with little evidence of any new snow deposition. We chose not to ski there. Next, the summit snowfield was wind affected but the snowpack was bonded and dry. We then proceeded to Oakes, where the mid afternoon sun and lower elevation combo lead to heavy wet snow and lots of large roller balls, mostly releasing from below the cliff band between main and airplane. Finally, we carefully evaluated conditions in Monroe Brook, and found a combination of ice, scour, cold dry snow, and several inch to ~1’ thick wind deposits in the vicinity which were warming. We observed active roller balls and small point releases on the sun/western slopes too. The main danger were the opening stream holes at the runout.
Avalanche
- Size
- D1
- Count
- 2
- Aspect
- S
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 4500 ft