February 28

Upper Solitude parking, Willow Heights, South Monitor, West Monitor, Wills Hill, Silver Fork lodge

wmonitor-cornice

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

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

Snow conditions

2-8" new snow over a mostly crusted old surface.

The new snow was of moderate density with the upper few inches inverted(denser).

somonitor

Ski cutting was non-reactive.

"Hey, you only get two. We're taking over this slope".

somonitor-heli

Old slide paths received almost enough snow to not feel the clinkers.

wmonitor-bowl

Lee aspects were drifted with growing cornices. Windward, scoured near ridges, stiff snow lower on slopes.

Sun exposed aspects heated enough to crust when cooled.

Weather

Sunny skies in the morning with moderate temperatures. Clouds increased as did the wind, gusting to around 30 mph along the ridges.

A few flakes in the afternoon.

background-wind

Avalanche activity

New snow slides in wind effected terrain, most with an easterly facing aspect.

two-dogs

Warming may have played a role on slopes exposed to the sun.

Evaluation

Good stability in the area traveled.

Weather guessers have a stronger storm suggested, more snow and wind so...

Stability will be dependent on bonding within layering and the old surface.

Increasing potential for active wind drifts with loading.

Possible wet activity with warming

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