March 27
Yellow Jacket-Alexander Basin-Wilson Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6400-10k, angles over 35°, all aspects except north facing.
Snow conditions
I found 6-14" recent snow over a variable base.
Light density snow capped several density changes within the top foot or so.
Trad width skis were sinking into the higher density, wider widths stayed on top.
As usual, wind drifting on higher elevation lee aspects.
Snow below about 8k was warmed by a few hours of sun, surface crusting with cooling.
Weather
Overcast to partly cloudy to overcast skies as the day progressed. Temperatures were moderate, wind was from the west, gusting to around 20 mph along the highest ridges.
Avalanche activity
East ridge of Alexander Basin
Shallow naturals observed along the upper lookers left, sluffing in the middle bowl, no in toots.
East chute slide with wind drifting continuing.
Zoom of east chute. Several more shallow crowns observed up canyon.
Evaluation
Instability was from wind drifting.
Density changes within the upper foot or so of snow could activate with further load, prior to settlement.
Wet activity on sun exposed with clearing.
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