March 24

S curve-Mill B south-S curve

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

6500-10800', angles approaching 40°, north facing aspects.

Snow conditions

No new snow at the trailhead. There was a good refreeze at that elevation.

New snow from the little storm was found at about 7500' with amounts increasing to around 4" at upper elevations.

Several inches of soft and settled remained under that snow on shady, sheltered aspects. A firm crust formed the base.

The refreeze kept the old surface firm, even at the lower elevations, into late afternoon.

Avalanche activity

Instability was limited to point release surface sluffing

pt-release

on se and sw facing aspects. Warming also produced a few small rollers.

Glide

millb-glide

continues a slow progression. Maybe next week after significant warming.

There was a slab avalanche observed in Maybird gulch.

maybird

Timing unknown

maybird-slide

but, it appeared to be recent from my distant view.

Weather

Clear skies, moderate temperatures in the shade and light wind.

Evaluation

New snow was well bonded with good stability.

Weather guessers suggest increasing wind prior to the next storm which may actually add some base so...

Instability would be drifting from the wind.

Future instabilities would be dependent on bond of any new snow to the variable(soft in the shade, crust on sun exposed) old surface.

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March 24 journal

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