December 27

Willow Heights(again)

willows

to West Monitor, Wills trees out to Silver Fork.

monitor-sluffs

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

7800-10k+, angles over 35°, all aspects.

Snow conditions

12-16" new snow over a variable, mostly supportable base.

Snow was right side up with the lightest on top.

That light density snow would sluff with ski cuts and cornice drops. Sluffs were a bit sluggish and not running far.

Observed natural activity was cornice falls from a windy period during the storm on primarily east facing.

Weather

Moderate temperatures with mostly light wind

natural

Wind along the ridges was from the north, channeling through terrain features, moving a little snow in places.

better-not

Evaluation

Instability, once again, was sluffing within new snow layering.

Evidence of wind drifting was pretty obvious and easily avoided. Potential for slab release exists in the drifted areas.

tree

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