(Apr 5) "...Also observed one small wind slab occurring between Saddle & the Football Field, possibly skier-triggered." Photo: G. Antonioli
(Apr 5 ) "Observed multiple D1-1.5 natural dry loose avalanches (and some tiny wind slab pockets under the ridge cornice) that likely occurred during peak warming around 2-3 PM. North/sheltered aspects from ~9- 8.5k held an average of 8+ inches of dry, drifted snow...." Photo: G. Antonioli
We skied near Henderson Mtn. and Lulu Pass. Skies were clear with a light breeze near the ridgelines. Temperatures stayed below or just barely above freezing.
We saw a couple 3-6" deep natural wind slab avalanches and a few dry loose slides that looked to have happened within the last 24 hours. On southerly slopes below 9,000' there were some wet loose slides from yesterday afternoon.
Wind slabs were still reactive today. We triggered 3 small, 3-8" deep x 5-15' wide, hard wind (1F+) slabs on convex test slopes well below the main ridgelines. 9,800', NE aspects. Also triggered one softer (4F) wind slab just below the high ridgeline, 10,200', NE aspect. 10-15' wide x 6-8" deep.
Snow stayed dry on northerly/shady slopes. Any sunny slopes got moist and had a crust formed by late this afternoon. We did not notice any fresh wet loose slides or roller balls on southerly slopes above 9,000'.
Stay alert for unstable drifts of snow, wind slabs formed last week are still breaking. Anticipate wet snow hazards to increase in size and distribution as the days get hotter this week.
We snagged an early morning tour to avoid the heat today and it (mostly) worked. We saw no avalanches, cracking or collapsing while out.
-We found a 2-4cm thick breakable crust on SE, S, SW, and W aspects that probably formed during Friday’s sunshine capping 6-10” of fresh snow above 9k’
-There was much less fresh snow below 9k’ (baked off?)
-Northerlies held stable soft snow!
-Small natural dry loose activity started around 11am on steep NE and E slopes initiating from around rocks/trees
-We sniffed out some south facing corn, but it was generally grabby/sloppy wherever a few inches of recent fresh snow remained
A snowobarder tagged us in an IG story of triggering a long running, powerful wet loose slide in the Bridger Range.
We went on a tour in the Bridgers today, we ascended the east ridge of Naya Nuki to the entrance of the Great One. Wind was blowing and we were being careful about potential wind slabs up high.
Skier 1 ski cut the top of the chute and produced a small wind slab that ran to the break in the chute and continued another 100 vert down the east apron. After all meeting up halfway down, skier 2 proceeded to ski the E facing apron. A wind slab propagated and carried skier 2 roughly 300 vert down the apron where skier 2 was able to swim out of the fall line and came to a rest on top of the debris. Everyone was okay aside two missing ski poles.
On the way out, we saw a few more small natural wind slabs that broke naturally near ridge lines as well as point and release wet slides.
From BBSP: " At 2.45?pm a... solo skier triggered a wind loaded pocket on the main face of Saddle Peak that ran down over the cliff and produced an impressive powder cloud.... I met him... and confirm he was alone and no one was in front of him. The avalanche looked to be 2' deep on the southern flank and 5" deep on the northern flank... It entrained more snow on the way down, one 2' deep downhill wind loaded pocket and some loose wet snow. It ran into the bottom of the going home chute, gouging a large hole and then 100ft downhill left a 200ft by 30ft wide shallow debris pile."
Observed multiple D1-1.5 natural dry loose avalanches (and some tiny wind slab pockets under the ridge cornice) that likely occurred during peak warming around 2-3 PM. North/sheltered aspects from ~9- 8.5k held an average of 8+ inches of dry, drifted snow. Early AM to mid-afternoon, very active wind transport followed by tapered winds and a rapid increase in temp. Also observed one small wind slab occurring between Saddle & the Football Field, possibly skier-triggered.
