Another sad day for our snowpack. More ugly wet activity from the NW Mtns

Date of Observation: 04/11/2023
Name: Zach Guy

Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Afternoon snowmobile tour to Scarp Ridge, Beaver Ponds TH, and Horse Ranch TH documenting wet avalanche patterns from the last few days.

Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: More wet action.  In summary, all of the large (D2+) avalanche activity (both wet slab and wet loose) has been happening on east, south, and west aspects, mostly near and below treeline, where meltwater is most intense right now. I saw a few wet slabs break near 12,000′ into above treeline type of terrain. These were all on rocky, shallow slopes facing SE. There’s still plenty of wet loose activity happening on NE and NW aspects but it’s still shallow and not gouging like the southern side is, and no wet slabs on the northern half of the compass thus far.
Weather: Hot.
Snowpack: A quick handpit on a 30 degree, SE facing slope at 12,000 feet this afternoon had wet snow about 6″ deep and moistening snow below that. The snowpack was generally supportive to sledding near and above treeline with track pen about 6″. It was trapdoor in a few low-elevation areas.