Wolfman Tom, Sinead and I enjoyed very good ski quality here today with
30-40 cm's of new storm snow. Ski penetration is shin deep and trail
breaking was moderate. We saw snow blowing off alpine ridges today and wind
slabs were building and intensifying. There is a good possibility with winds
or cornice acting as a trigger that in the alpine, a primary avalanche of
the new storm snow could step down and trigger a much larger avalanche, so
be very careful to give large slide paths a wide berth. Danger in Alpine is
High. At tree-line and below tree-line we skied wind sheltered areas and
felt comfortable with the danger. However this new snow is on the heavier
side with more moisture in it, perfect for windslabs. Skiing up to Crowfoot
pass we encountered a bowl that is affected by valley channeling winds and
was very slabby and prone to avalanches in steeper wind-affected areas. Thus
we are calling the danger at tree-line considerable with caution on any lee
and cross loaded features. Below Tree-line we called it moderate. We saw one
natural avalanche of size 2 come from un-skiable terrain off of N face of
Mt. Crowfoot. We had no wumphing or shooting cracks today.
Info for the experts; Wx obs, snpk structure:
Elevation range 1930m-2240, at 12:48- Overcast, snowing 1cm hr, -1°, wind L
SE, Ridge Blo M SW.
HS at TL (7290ft), 144-175cm. Study pit 145cm deep NW asp, 34 deg. From
surface; 0-10 F sd some rm, 10-36 4F DF, 36-51 RG 1F, 51-54 wc P, 54-76 mx
1f+, 76-100 mx P, 100-130 FC P-, 130-140 FC 1F+, 140-145 DH.
25 down CTE 6 RP on HST interface, 51 dn CTM 15x2 RP on wc, 54 dn CTM 15/CTH
24 both RP.
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