Date of Observation: 01/09/2016
Name: Dustin Eldridge
Aspect: North East, East, South East, South, West
Elevation: 9600-11400
Avalanches: Intentionally triggered a soft wind slab on a test slope on the way up. R1 D1 that appeared to break on top of the new snow from yesterday and the day prior. Crown was approximately 1-1.5 feet and 30 feet wide. This was on a E aspect below treeline.
Another intentional trigger near treeline, also soft wind slab R1D1. Similar crown statistics but maybe 10-15 feet wider. This slide was on a steeper more continuous slope and the slide broke upon a suncrust (or the very solid surface of the Xmas slab). Seemed like a pretty classic example of how new snowfall may not affect avy danger but as soon as the wind picked up avalanches became more likely.
Weather: Cold in the morning (5F at th) with light snow. Ruby Range socked in all day. Local winds appeared to be out of the SW in some areas despite NW flow aloft. Moderate wind loading witnessed with lee typically E-SE aspects.
Snowpack: Returned to area skied yesterday and snow surface was more cohesive. Two inches of new snow but definite wind affect in isolated areas from the previous night.
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