December 24
Bowman trail, Yellow Jacket, Alexander Basin, Millcreek road
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6400-10k, angles over 35°, north, east and west facing aspects.
Snow conditions
4" new snow, medium density, over a settled storm total of 14-20".
New-old interface bonded well.
Easy trailbreaking, dense and creamy turns.
Wind had done some drifting. The worst effect found was at mid elevation run outs and along ridgelines.
Weather
Partly cloudy in the am, increasing clouds by early afternoon. Cool temperatures and light wind.
Avalanche activity
Widespread natural avalanche cycle during the later part of the storm.
Observed activity on looker's left Raymond slab
and 180° in upper Alexander Basin.
Debris was covered by the 4" of new snow.
Of note:
While the west facing Wilson chutes ran wall to wall leaving a deep debris pile in the flats, east and north facing was more pockety, with residual hang fire.
No avalanche activity observed in West Porter or Silver Bell.
Evaluation
Good stability in the area traveled, no observed cracking or collapsing.
Mid elevation terrain lacking early November snow is, for the most part, also lacking instability.
Upper elevation terrain has a stout bridge over weak layering with lingering instability potential.
Clean out is incomplete.
© wowasatch.com