January 1
Yellow Jacket, Toots to Boot, Wilson Glade, Headwall Bowl, Millcreek.
6400'-10k, angles to 40° north,east and west facing aspects
Snow conditions
There was a skiff of actual snow over a stout rain crust at the trail head.
Recent snow amount increased as the rain crust thinned with about 3" of fresh above 9k.
Wind and high density made the new snow stiff in upper elevation exposed.
Wind drifting and scouring was patchy with the most impact at upper elevations, although, west facing suffered the worst scouring.
Murdock
upper Beartrap
Willow
Scotts peak
Stiff shallow wind drifts-scoured almost to the ground on the same slope.
Down out of the wind, sheltered and shady was consistent over facets
Below 8000', the rain crust is thicker, supportability variable.
Hoped for seizing up of lower elevations didn't happen.
Weather
Clear skies, mild temperatures and light wind.
Avalanche activity
Ski cutting the exit run at about 8500' broke out a wind drifted pocket which was around 15' wide and maybe 10" deep.
It quickly changed to a sluff running about 600' vertical gouging into older snow facets at times.
The width remained consistent, debris pile shallow.
Snow pit
Evaluation
Instability was from drifting.
Hard and soft slab potential exists.
Facets have been capped by dense new snow but, sluffing possible.
Wet activity with daytime heating.
© wowasatch.com