March 19-20
Butler trail, Mill A, Raymond, Gobblers Knob, Butler Basin
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7000-10400', angles over 35°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
Patchy snow on the trail to the bridge. Good coverage on southeast facing to Mill A. Patchy in Butler Basin below Mill D junction.
Upper elevation south and west facing have poor to non existent snow.
Southeast facing, corn snow, which stays supportable into the afternoon.
Weather
Clear to partly cloudy skies, light wind from the northwest at upper elevations, cool in the morning with gradual warming.
Avalanche activity
Large glide slide off slabs just south of the Diving Board in Broads Fork.
Several glides off lower slabs to the north.
Slides probably ran late Wednesday-early Thursday, near the end of the no freeze period.
First observed on Thursday with no additional movement on Friday.
No other recent activity.
Evaluation
South facing is cooked, late spring conditions to upper elevations.
North facing upper elevations have been experiencing gradual warming for days.
They retain surface crusts most of the day, lingering deeper layering and dry snow under the crust.
Good stability with some isolated glide potential during marginal freeze periods.
Weather guessers are currently suggesting 6-12" for early in the week.
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