January 27
Alexander-Wilson
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200-10k, angles over 40°, all aspects
Snow conditions
A surprising amount of new snow was found at Bowman trail head, with around a foot of light density. That decreased at mid elevations, increasing again at upper elevations. The old surface, experiencing heavy rain early in the storm was frozen solid below around 9k. Above that elevation, dense snow from early in the storm was found. Wind, forecast to begin later in the day, was already moving snow,
resulting in almost immediate sluffing and cornice fall induced shallow soft slab activity.
Daytime heating and early sun warming produced a zipper crust on aspects exposed after they cooled in the afternoon.
Weather
Partly cloudy early in the day with increasing wind and overcast skies by late afternoon. Cool temperatures.
Avalanche activity
Widespread sluffing and shallow soft slabs in Main Porter.
Large slide into older faceted layering was observed in Mineral Fork.
Another large slide south of Bonkers in Broads Fork,
running into the flats.
Evaluation
Mostly stable snow was found in the area traveled through. Increased wind dictated the route, avoiding loaded areas. There was widespread avalanche activity observed, from the recent storm, several slides into older layering. That suggests the rapid warming, followed by rain, heavy snowfall and a slow cooling were a little much for the snow pack to handle. Another round of high wind will induce another round of slide activity, most within recent snow load. Deeper releases observed suggest caution in steep shallow rocky areas, especially those subjected to further wind loading.
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