December 25
Gobblers Knob
Bowman trail to the Cabin run out Bowman
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
6200-10'200', angles to 35°, north and west aspects.
Avalanche activity:
New snow sluffing on steeper north and east aspects in main and west Porter.
One crown was observed, probably ran during the storm.
Crown close up
No cracking, no collapsing in the area traveled.
Slopes skied:
Cabin run continuing down Baker Spring and repeat.
Snow conditions:
4' new snow at 6200' increasing to around 10" at 9500'. Above that elevation winds had eroded the new snow leaving a wind board crust with a coupla inches of new over the top. The crust was non reactive to ski cutting and mostly supportable. Pole probing indicated a depth of several inches.The area was lacking the faceted early season snow. Even with cool temperatures, some sun crusting was found on lower elevation sun exposed in the afternoon.
Weather:
Clear skies with very cool temperatures. Mid level cloud band drifted through mid day. Winds were from the northeast early, decreasing to near zero by afternoon.
Evaluation:
No instabilities were found Observed activity was within the new snow on lee aspects. Concern would be drifting on those same aspects where layers of faceted snow exist.
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