January 16
Grizzly gulch, Silver and Days Fork to Spruces
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7500-10300', angles over 35°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
An inch or so of very dense new snow saturated by rain in the afternoon to ? elevation.
Much of the new had already formed a thin rime crust cap.
Off aspects had a mf crust under the new, variable in thickness and support.
Tree bombs were initiating rollers at mid and lower elevations.
Ski penetration, up high was an inch, foot penetration, a foot or so.
Weather
Overcast to foggy skies, wind from the west, gusting to 20+mph, mild temperatures.
Rained on at 8500' in the afternoon.
Snow pit
Several hand and shovel pits indicated good bonding with variable shears. No hoars.
Evaluation
Rain on snow would likely promote instability in the short term.
Colder temperatures and drainage should promote good stability for the long term.
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