Date of Observation: 01/26/2023
Name: Travis Colbert
Zone: Northwest Mountains
Route Description: Red lady skin track to the summit. Redwell Basin to Wrong Chute. 9,000-12,400ft NW, N & NE aspects.
Observed avalanche activity: No
Avalanches:
Weather: Clear & cold. -24 degrees at the Slate TH, probably low teens on the summit. Minimal wind.
Snowpack: Entrance (NW aspect) was very wind impacted, but the sastrugi was surprisingly soft. A few hundred feet down, the snow transitioned to relatively consistent, dense powder. The lower we went, the softer the snow, with the best turns in the belly of Wrong Chute (or in this case right chute…let the confusion persist for eternity). Seems like the snowpack is becoming more faceted during this dry, cold spell.