March 14
Silver-Days
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
7000-10000', angles over 35°, all aspects
Avalanche activity:
Widespread sluffing within new snow layering, both natural
and ski cut
on all slopes skied over 35°.
Sluffing was also initiated on angles slightly less the 35°, but those ran quite slow.
Slopes skied:
East bowl of Silver Fork, West bowl, Hideaway Park into Days Fork, Main Days and the finger chutes to Spruces.
Snow conditions:
8' found early in the morning increased with continued showers to 14-16" late in the day. There were several density changes within the new snow caused by increased wind and short periods of clearing skies.Old snow surfaces consisted of mainly crust, both wind and sun, except for sheltered north facing, which had some lingering old soft snow.
Settlement was almost as fast as accumulation because of mild temperatures and the clearing. Late in the day, snow had settled enough that, shooting cracks occurred with ski cutting, and sluffs didn't run as far. Off aspects and south facing, receiving warming, may be crusted in the am.
Weather:
Overcast skies, with partial clearing at times. Instability showers throughout the day. Winds were from the wnw gusting to around 20+ mph at times. Mild temperatures during short periods of clearing, otherwise moderate.
Evaluation:
Sluffing on steep slopes was the theme for the day. I'd expect some continuation because of old, hard crusted surfaces. Settlement was slabbing the new snow especially on sun exposed aspects. Some of the slabs may continue to be active.
Bonding and overnight settlement will decrease instability.
Ski cutting starting zones and break overs, would probably mitigate the instability, except on large open slopes. Increased wind, heavy snowfall and-or extended period of warming, would increase instability.
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