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
with natural releases as they overloaded.
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.
Watching the slide, I was surprised at the volume and distance it ran.
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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