Irwin Cat Ski avalanche activity

Date of Observation: 01/01/2023
Name: Irwin Guides

Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Irwin Tenure

Observed avalanche activity: Yes
Avalanches: Widespread Touchy Storm Slabs yesterday 12/31. There was a notable natural avalanche cycle on the Upper Upper West Wall that produced 3-5 large avalanches. This terrain has not been mitigated or skied this season and was predominantly scoured down to rock prior to 12/28. Lingering Storm Slabs were more resistant to explosive and skier testing in our core westerly terrain today. However, easterly start zones that were previously Unreactive reached a tipping point: a single hand charge cleared out almost all of Candies and Sonic to the ground (SS-AE-R2-D2-G FC (100cm x 75m x 150m)). This is southeasterly terrain from about 12k. We also had a small but impressive natural event today on The Crotch apron in a recently wind loaded pocket (HS-N-R2/D1.5-O/G 50-100 cm x 10m x 40m). This is SSW terrain at 11.8k and ran O/G with a crown of 1m at its apex.
Snowpack: We received 45″ of snow with 3.5 inches of water over two storm cycles since 12/28. The second cycle was notable for very warm temps, multiple riming events that laid down thin friable crusts at lower elevations, and several hardness inversions in the new snow.