January 6
Grizzly Gulch, Twin Lakes, Solitude and Willow Heights(Will's Hill}
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7800-10200', angles over 35°, all aspects
Snow conditions
20" or so of new snow was found in Grizzly Gulch. The top 6" was very dense with, the lower 14" much lighter. Needless to say, trail breaking in the area was a bitch. West facing was wind scoured with, ski penetration only a few inches, near Twin Lakes pass. Near the Sol Bright area of Twin Lakes, I started finding storm totals of around 14", much less inverted. That total continued into the Willow area making travel manageable. 8-12" new was the total at and below the beaver ponds in Willow Heights.
Weather
Snow, heavy at times with moderate temperatures. Winds from the west, gusting to over 30 mph. Stronger wind at upper elevations and near the ridges.
Evaluation
Inverted storm and strong winds increased instability, dramatically. Natural activity unknown because of poor visibility. Control work by Solitude in the east facing Highway to Heaven area of Twin lakes produced widespread new snow avalanching.
As usual, most avalanches occur during and after storms. Settlement should heal the inverted storm snow quickly leaving, active wind drifts of perhaps, 2' on lee aspects.
The wild card, facet-crust-facet, could activate in select locations with the additional reported 2"+ of water weight.
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