February 15
Alpine-Box Elder(shotgun chutes)
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6000-10200', angles over 35°, north and west facing aspects.
Snow conditions
There was about 6" of new snow, 18" over the old surface. Winds during the storm created a density inversion within the new easily felt on both the up and down. Those winds also produced a slide cycle,
with numerous shallow crowns observed on northeast facing slopes at mid elevations.
Looking at the crown of one, a few sparkles(facets) were observed.That information came in handy later,
after discovering a slide, remotely triggered from the ridge.
Wind also played a major role at the upper elevations.
with natural activity observed almost immediately.
Some of the new wind induced activity slides were running about a thousand vertical feet.
All slides, both new and recent were on east and northeast facing aspects.
Weather
Clear and sunny in the morning, mild temperatures. Winds increased with gusts along the upper ridges to over 30 mph.
Evaluation
Widespread shallow wind induced instabilities both during the storm and during the sw wind event, following. Observed activity at mid elevations indicated localized preservation of faceted snow at and near the old surface. Would expect some continuing instability in wind drifted areas and a facets wild card, especially in sheltered mid elevation terrain, with a northeast facing aspect.
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