Avalanches: Popped a decent storm slab out on a steeper roll on NE facing avalanche path BTL. Slab was probably 60cm, and had some push to it., collapsing and propagating probably 20ft. Did not feel comfortable on steep terrain today, however, did ski small steep features nervously.
Weather: Cold air advection and orographics was surprisingly heavy and last throughout tour, showery in nature ranging from S-1 to S5. Around 6″ new in Brush overnight and today. When we gained more near treeline ridgeline, W-NW wind was a steady 15mph with a few gusts to 30. No real Solar effect on any terrain today.
Snowpack: Snowpack was surprisingly deep, but expectations may have just been that low… HS ranged 40cm to 120cm depending on wind effect and elevation. 3-5mm depth hoar first 10cm, smaller facets, with about 15-50cm new snow which was becoming slabby , especially below treeline where new snow is cohesive enough hold slab above super weak, larger grained facets. Extended column tests showed no slab firm enough for ECT to show, but was getting localized collapses around skis all day. one ECT near ridgeline after finding old hardslab. ECTPV and ECTPE SC below hardslab. Windloading confined to ridgelines where we travelled. No wind effect BTL, aside from open meadows.

skier triggered BTL pocket on steep roll. Lots of hangfire 2nd skier avoided by skiing bed surface

Avalanches: observed small windslab (50′ x 10-20″ deep) on NE facing slope in extreme terrain on Whetstone, as well as similar size windslab on SE facing slope at ridgeline in Anthracites.
Weather: Overcast, with cold morning but warmed nicely. Light SW breeze at ridgetop today. Solar was present but not intense.
Snowpack: Travelled standard uptrack in Anthracites, snowpack was consistent 80-120cm deep, most notably a very widespread layer of surface hoar from last night’s cold, clear, calm night. Surface hoar 4-6mm, and present in shorter pungey trees all the way to branches. In darker timber SH was NOT present. Also evident was drifts in trees from strong NW winds last few days.

See video for test pit results. ECTX, and ECTP30 – sudden collapse at ground on 3-5mm depth hoar.

no signs of instability today aside from spooky pit results.

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Avalanches: None
Weather: Partly cloudy, warm and calm
Snowpack: Shallow unconsolidated snowpack 50-70 cm. Large surface hoar and loose snow on the surface. Not much of a mudpack to speak of. No slab was observed.
Skied terrain around 40 degrees with no results. Very unconsolidated weak snow.

Weather: Increasing clouds; Increasing temps; High of -1C / Low of -4C; Calm to Light SSW winds; Blowing snow off ridge tops ~12k SSW
Snowpack:

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Weather: Grey bird, No wind
Snowpack: HS 45cms, Facets capped by big SH

Avalanches: None.
Weather: Scattered clouds, see profile.
Snowpack: See profile.

Axtell-Dec.-19

Avalanches: Non observed.
Weather: Partly Cloudy becoming overcast in the afternoon. Calm wind.
Snowpack: BTL: Very little snow. About 30cm HS on average. 2″ settled storm snow over facets or crusts.

NTL: Looked like the most continues snow coverage and deepest HS. If persistent slab structure is still intact, this looked like the most likely elevation to find that avalanche problem.

ATL: Snow coverage is mostly confined to gullies and wind loaded areas. Looked very “continental” with generally very little snow coverage.

Phone book style wind slab resting over facets with natural crack running through convexity. HS about 50cm in deepest part of the wind loaded feature. South aspect at 12,000ft

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Northwest side of Lambertson Massif.

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North Facing shaded trees NTL

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West side Italian Mountain

Looking west to Crystal Peak and Star Pass in the distance

NW facing bowl on Cement Mountain

Avalanches: None aeen in our area
Weather: Cold, periods of wind with some snow transport, partly cloudy
Snowpack: New snow remained light and good in protected areas. Slabbing up out in open a little. Cut across the top of steep, small convexity with no results.