December 31
Spruces-Reynolds-Butler Basin-Wilson-Millcreek
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6400-10k, angles approaching 40°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
4-10" new snow, elevation dependent.Snow was light density capped with a bit of hoar frost
Day time heating warmed south faces enough to initiate small rollers. Sun exposed is likely crusted.
Afternoon winds
from the southwest added yet another round of drifting.
Avalanche activity
New snow avalanching was observed on east
northeast
and southeast
facing aspects.
Ski cutting a northeast facing slope at about 8500' late in the day initiated a good sized sluff which augered into old snow layering.
Spreading out as it descended, the result was a large debris pile 500 vertical feet down hill. Packed quite a punch on a slope with an angle approaching 40°.
Weather
Clear and sunny early in the day with moderate temperatures. Clouds increased as did the wind, gusting over 20 mph along the ridges by late afternoon.
Evaluation
Mostly stable snow was found. Bonding was much improved with settlement. Winds in the afternoon will have added instability in drifted terrain.
Sluffing on very steep, wind sheltered, shady slopes could easily entrain older layering, as was experienced.
Slides running on previously avalanched paths may have a good punch since the path is greased, bed surfaces firm.
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