24-25

Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

Mar 7 obs: "There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday.... The new snow was low density and sluffed easily on steep shady northerlies. On steep slopes facing the sun (south and east, and probably west) the new snow sat on a crust and became moist as the sun warmed it up and started to slide under skis. We saw a couple very small natural loose snow slides below rock outcrops on south facing slopes. Air temperatures were well below freezing, especially with wind chill, but the sun quickly warmed the recent new snow." Photo: GNFAC

We rode from Battle Ridge and skied up the east face of The Throne to look at the stability of the recent new snow.

There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.

We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'.

The new snow was low density and sluffed easily on steep shady northerlies. On steep slopes facing the sun (south and east, and probably west) the new snow sat on a crust and became moist as the sun warmed it up and started to slide under skis. We saw a couple very small natural loose snow slides below rock outcrops on south facing slopes. Air temperatures were well below freezing, especially with wind chill, but the sun quickly warmed the recent new snow.

It is spring, in addition to assessing for unstable drifts of snow, plan for wet snow avalanche hazards to increase in likelihood throughout the day when the sun is out and temperatures are near or above freezing.

Above Goose Creek -hard, dense, strong, and deep snow. Facets from late January are 1F+ hardness

Rode to the wilderness boundary and skied a lap above Goose Lake. Dug in two places - all hard, dense, strong, deep snow

Rode above Goose Creek. Dug in two places along the very steep, north-facing slopes above the creek. Same. All hard, dense, strong, and deep snow. Facets from late January are buried about a meter deep and 1Finger+ hardness.

We were digging about 700 feet above the two persistent slab that were avalanches triggered on Feb 24th (about a week and a half ago). We didn't see any indication that that is a widespread problem. We didn't see any recent avalanches either. 

Digging down to the late-January facets was a pain in the a$%. It seems like when it's becoming a pain to dig down to a weak layer, it's usually not much of problem anymore.

Looks like a recent naturally triggered slide towards the Idaho wilderness boundary on lionhead. 

GNFAC note: This slide occurred on Feb 28th (previous observation)

Multiple natural loose avalanches in the steep terrain of mt Blackmore. All originated at the base of cliffs or trees. Counted 4 prominent ones