Multiple natural loose avalanches in the steep terrain of mt Blackmore. All originated at the base of cliffs or trees. Counted 4 prominent ones
Saw lots of small loose avalanches on Mt Blackmore and nearby slopes, some appeared to be natural and others skier triggered. We saw multiple dry loose on N and E aspects and a wet loose on a southeast aspect.
We also noticed recent wind loading on the southeast side of ridgetops and scouring on north slopes.
Saw lots of small loose avalanches on Mt Blackmore and nearby slopes, some appeared to be natural and others skier triggered. We saw multiple dry loose on N and E aspects and a wet loose on a southeast aspect. Photo: H Meyers
Saw lots of small loose avalanches on Mt Blackmore and nearby slopes, some appeared to be natural and others skier triggered. We saw multiple dry loose on N and E aspects and a wet loose on a southeast aspect. Photo: H Meyers
Saw lots of small loose avalanches on Mt Blackmore and nearby slopes, some appeared to be natural and others skier triggered. We saw multiple dry loose on N and E aspects and a wet loose on a southeast aspect.
We also noticed recent wind loading on the southeast side of ridgetops and scouring on north slopes.
Got up early and cruised around on some different aspects on Mt Blackmore. Got some shooting cracks on the N side of the mountain mid slope, textured snow and snow drifts were widespread in the basin on N aspects. Found great skiing in N facing trees on that side of the mountain lower down below the apron and such.
East face had some top loading, nothing I was concerned about below ridge lines, save for some fast sluffs!
Found some isolated pockets of surface hoar, nothing widespread.
All in all, a fun morning, be curious to see how this next one affects the stability picture.
"Toured up Flanders Creek to the main cirque. I was wondering what the snow surface was doing with the high pressure. I dug a pit on a NNW aspect at 8900'. HS 205cm, light SW wind, clear skies and air temp was 2.1 C at 4pm. Dust layer was down 60cm from the surface.
Toured up Flanders Creek to the main cirque. I was wondering what the snow surface was doing with the high pressure. I dug a pit on a NNW aspect at 8900'. HS 205cm, light SW wind, clear skies and air temp was 2.1 C at 4pm. Dust layer was down 60cm from the surface.
I didn't get any propagating results in my pit and the snowpack was right side up. I did notice a strong temperature gradient in the top few centimeters of snow. I only found this on sheltered, shaded slopes with dry powdery snow. I did not find a strong temp gradient or facets in dense wind affected snow. Something to keep in mind if we get a big dump of snow in the near future.
Toured much of the Hyalite zone yesterday. Winds calmed, sun came out mid day. 1” of new snow and 3” the day before. Skiing was great. Saw a couple huge cornices that had broken off. From the top of Devide peak we observed what looked like a cornice release above the headwaters of storm castle creek which triggered a slab, east facing aspect. Looked to be several feet deep and ran a long way. No other signs of instability observed. Great skiing. Solar aspects were saturated by the afternoon.
Ridge line just west of divide peak in Hyalite canyon. Photo: O Silitch
