April 26

Yellow Jacket-Alexander Basin-Wilson Fork

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

6400-10k, angles over 35, north facing aspects.

Snow conditions

2'" at the trailhead increased to 6" at upper elevations. Add another 2" or so from instability showers.

The new snow was mostly graupel which was rolling downhill and pooling on lower slope angles.

Wind from the west was adding to cornice size

layers

with natural releases as they overloaded.

toots-cornices

Weather

Overcast to foggy skies with a few patches of clearing. Moderate temperatures. Wind from the west, mainly above 9k, gusting over 30 mph.

Avalanche activity

Observed natural activity was from the cornice falls.

Ski cutting the middle Wilson chute produced a sympathetic release in a wind drifted area.

wilson-crown

Watching the slide, I was surprised at the volume and distance it ran.

wilson-slide

Following the track provided the answer.

The lower angled graupel pooling released on both sides of the original slide, packing a good punch and leaving a sizable debris pile.

Evaluation

New snow instability from drifting with additional instability on lower angles from the graupel.

Would expect better stability with settlement. Ski cutting starting zones and breakovers is a good idea.

Wet activity possible with warming.

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