February 6
Porter, Thaynes, West Porter
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200-9700', angles over 35°, north facing aspects.
Snow conditions
A settled 4" or so at the trailhead, amount increasing to almost a foot with elevation gain.
Recent snow is dense and creamy.
Wind drifts were found along the ridges extending only a short distance onto traveled slopes.
Ski cutting did produce one soft slab at 9700', width 15-20', depth 10", running about 40'.
Weather
Overcast with patches of partly cloudy. Cool temperatures. Wind from the west, gusting to about 20 mph along the higher ridges.
Evaluation
Good stability in area traveled
Weather guessers have another storm incoming with rising snow levels and increasing wind so...
Pretty sure the sky is gonna fall this time...wull...uh, maybe Sunday-Monday.
I'd expect increased instability dependent on wind, snow amount and bonding of new snow to old surface.
Underlying snow pack is weak and shallow in some localized areas. Potential for deeper layer activation with significant loading.
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