Date of Observation: 01/03/2021
Name: Ben Pritchett
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Location: Elkton area
Aspect: South East, South, South West, West
Elevation: Near and Above Treeline
Avalanches: One tiny fresh wind slab off the Treasury to Galena ridge.
Weather: Ridgeline Wind Speed: 10-20 mph
Ridgeline Wind Direction: NW
Wind Loading: Previous
Temperature: 15 F
Sky Cover: Few
Weather Description: Clouds increased late morning through the afternoon. Light to moderate northwest winds.
Snowpack: Travelled over alpine south and southeast-facing slopes. Near treeline we travelled on east through south to west. No cracking or collapsing observed. A week ago on a similar route in the same terrain collapsing was common near treeline, but not above. Overnight northwest winds transported snow only near alpine ridgelines. Drifts were soft and posed no threat.
Photo caption: Northwest winds scoured windward alpine ridges and built soft fresh drifts. January 3, 2021.
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