February 28
Upper Solitude parking, Willow Heights, South Monitor, West Monitor, Wills Hill, Silver Fork lodge
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).
Ski cutting was non-reactive.
"Hey, you only get two. We're taking over this slope".
Old slide paths received almost enough snow to not feel the clinkers.
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.
Avalanche activity
New snow slides in wind effected terrain, most with an easterly facing aspect.
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
© wowasatch.com