January 18
Bowman trail, Pole Canyon, middle bowl Alexander Basin, upper Alexander Basin, Millcreek
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200-9800', angles over 35°, north, east and west facing aspects.
Snow conditions
Damp, sticky snow below about 8k drying out with elevation gain.
Wind board, wind pack, wind buff, railroad tracks etc. in exposed mid-upper elevations.
Settled, dense and creamy was found in sheltered, mid elevation terrain
Weather
Overcast skies with partial clearing mid day, wind was from the west, gusting over 30 mph along the ridges.
Mild temperatures.
Avalanche activity
Two recent slides were observed in Alexander Basin, both east facing aspects.
The main chute in middle bowl had a cornice fall which initiated a wider slide when it rolled down into the apron.
The slide was about 30' wide, 6-10" deep, running into lower angled, perhaps 500 vertical feet.
Second slide was in the east chute. More of a dribbler, point release sluff which was also likely the result of a cornice fall.
Ran abut the same vertical distance with a finishing width of, maybe, 20'.
Evaluation
Stability was dependent on wind effect.
Hard and soft wind drifts should be approached with caution, suspect till proven otherwise.
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