January 25
Willow-West Monitor-ridge walk past McDonalds and Dutches-Beartrap-West Desolation-Powder park-Spruces
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7500-10200', angles over 40°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
Settled snow of 6-8" capped by hoar frost at lower elevations and sheltered locations. South facing received enough sun to form a zipper crust.
Avalanche activity
West Monitor, skier's right flank. Slab released and moved but was caught on lower angled in a group of trees.
Repeater.
Crown measurement
High Ivory, large slide viewed from PC ridge line. This was a repeater, also
West Willow ridge, remotely triggered January 22.
Panorama of West Desolation ridge avalanche.
Slide observed in Cardiac bowl extending on east facing almost over to Cardiac ridge.
and all of Little Superior buttress, nw facing from near the ridge and low crown below rock bands on ne facing.
No, on the Catcher' mitt.
East chute in upper Alexander basin for about the fifth time.
Weather
Overcast with partial clearing throughout the day. Moderate temperatures. Light wind from the west.
Evaluation
While some natural activity has been observed, it certainly does not indicate any sort of clean out.
There's a hell of a bridge over weak old snow layering that I'm not trusting for a minute.
This is the high cone on Dutches. Norice someone has hucked the cornice and straightlined the face.
We watched in disbelief as clown suited lemmings dived down the face after learning it was now called "Bizzaro".
Gonna be awhile.
© wowasatch.com