March 30
Spruces to Millcreek
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
6200-10000', angles over 35°, all aspects.
Avalanche activity:
Widespread sluffing of new snow
on all slopes over 35°.
Slopes skied:
Reynolds face, Soldier north facing, west saddle in Wilson, Wilson chute, Wilson glade and the Headwall, exit to Millcreek.
Snow conditions:
An inch of new increased to about 4" during the day. Bonding of new to old mostly crusted surfaces decreased as the day progressed. Reynolds face had no sluffing but all other slopes skied did so as the angle increased. Sluffs were running several hundred vertical, but were lacking in both speed and punch( initiate the sluff and ski beside it, watching it run). Old surface were mostly crusted, both firm refrozen and spongy where the freeze was marginal or the aspect was north facing. Upper Wilson glade was the only location found lacking a crust. Lower elevations, damp and soggy yesterday, hardened with cooler overnight temperatures.
Weather:
Overcast skies and light snowfall throughout the day. Winds were light to non-existent and temperatures moderate.
Evaluation:
Bonding of new snow to old surfaces was marginal. While settlement should help, would expect the lack of a good bond to remain for a day or so. Forecast of increased wind adds a slab to the equation. Ski cutting starting zones and breakovers remains a good evasive maneuver.
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