March 12
Bowman to the nose, out Porter
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
6400-10200', angles over 35°, west, north, northwest and northeast facing.
Avalanche activity:
None.
There was evidence of some isolated wet activity on sun exposed and at lower elevations. That was limited to rollers and a point release here and there within the recent snow.
Glide cracks on the
Raymond slabs have appeared and others above the blue ice, bonkers and the diving board show some movement.
Slopes skied:
The nose on Gobblers.
Snow conditions:
Lower elevations had isothermal snow to around 8k in the upper 12-20". Above that, crust, gradually increasing in strength and depth on sun exposed and off aspects. Patches of settled snow were found at upper elevations on shady slopes, unexposed to wind. Exposed terrain had wind board, boilerplate and scattered soft snow. Near surface faceting was found but, hand checking indicated dampness, with snowballs made by squeezing. Surface crusts softened during the day and a few turns of early corn were found on west facing in the late afternoon.
Weather:
Overcast to partly cloudy. Mild temperatures. Winds were from the wnw, gusting to around 20 mph along the upper ridge line.
Evaluation:
Stable snow. Future instability would be related to bonding of new snow with old surfaces, likely poor in some areas, increased wind after snowfall and from any extended warming period. Sluffing of new snow is probable.
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