Date of Observation: 11/21/2015
Name: EM
Aspect: South East, South
Elevation: 9,200 – 12,400
Avalanches: No visible new slab activity.
Weather: Saturday was quite cold to begin the day. Elevation gain and solar kept air temp comfortable. Consistent light winds from the west near and above treeline. Didn’t see any snow transport occuring.
Snowpack: Highly variable on ascent track. Most notable was numerous large collapses near and above treeline in terrain that was loaded and significantly stiffened by the wind. A common theme with these collapses was the relative low angle terrain they occurred on. Quick probing showed very weak crusts underneath these dense wind slabs. Areas that were steeper had stronger crusts below the latest snow and we didn’t experience significant collapsing. Snow surface remained dry above treeline on SE aspect with nice riding conditions on terrain that wasn’t loaded or stripped by past few days of wind.