April 27
White Pine parking to Chipman to Box Elder back to White Pine
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
7200-10600', angles approaching 40°, all aspects
Avalanche activity:
A few rollers and loose snow sluffs from heating. Ski cutting did produce a sluff in warmed snow on southeast facing Chipman,
in an area loaded by recent northwest storm winds.
Slopes skied:
Pfeifferhorn shoulder into Dry Creek, Chipman south face, skier's right north chutes on Box Elder and Red Pine lake face.
Snow conditions:
A good refreeze crusted all but sheltered upper elevation north facing aspects. Those crusts softened in a timely manner with heating. Corn snow was found at mid and lower elevations, but upper elevations need a day or so more cooking down. Winds from the wnw left extensive damage, scoured to the old surface on windward and some shallow drifting on lee aspects. Recent storm snow in the area had settled to about 4" on the shady side.
Weather:
Cool in the am, warming as the day progressed, but never getting oppressive. Helped by a south breeze of less than 15 mph.
Evaluation:
Mostly stable snow, settled nicely. Instabilities limited to isolated wind drifts and warming. Following the sun as it melts the surface crust, should provide some corn. Continued heat combined with marginal refreeze, could produce wet activity, including activation of glide.
© wowasatch.com