January 25
Alexander Basin-Wilson Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6400-10k, angles over 35°, north west and east facing aspects.
Snow conditions
Snow showers at the trail head, continuing into the afternoon with 3-4", medium density, total.
Cornice kicking and ski cuts were producing surface sluffing on steeper slopes.
Some of those, especially at mid and lower elevations, were packing a good punch, entraining older snow.
Several wet slides during the January 16 rain event left large clinkers in the runouts. Since they are concealed by new snow, best to be wary.
There was some slip sliding breaking trail, on faceted layering, from the 23-24th clearing, below the new snow.
Weather
Overcast to foggy skies, snow showers all day, wind from the west, occasional gusts over 20mph along ridges, moderate temperatures.
Evaluation
Sluffing may continue in steep and shady.
There are also some recent wind drifts overlying weaker older layering.
Slider potential on rain crust lingers.
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