Saw a fairly fresh avalanche up Hyalite from the top of the Fat and Skinny Maids, I think that would put the avalanche in the Storm Castle Creek basin. Photo: F Miller
Ridge line just west of divide peak in Hyalite canyon
Saw a fairly fresh avalanche up Hyalite from the top of the Fat and Skinny Maids, I think that would put the avalanche in the Storm Castle Creek basin. North facing shady aspects were still cool and chalky, solar aspects were getting quite warm.
Got an early-ish start to beat the heat and was on top of Elephant Mountain by 9am this morning. Skied the southeast bowl for our first lap, which was supportable and mostly good corn skiing. It was unclear when solar aspects were going to fall apart, but I wouldn't have wanted to be skiing that bowl much later than we had. Very light wind, few clouds, and strong sun made for pretty rapid warming. The north aspect held cold snow down to 7500 ft or so, though it is quite shaded. Shout out to the party behind us up top for allowing me to engage them in meaningful communication about not skiing on top of us. That dialogue was appreciated. Lots of ski tracks in high places, pretty fun to see.
Pictures of two cornice triggered avalanches way up the South Cottonwood drainage that was viewed from Alex Lowe. Looks to be in the recent days, around 9,000 feet North facing.
Also a massive cornice that had cracked and was slowly making its way towards falling down. Cornice was around 50 feet long, and largely overhanging. On the standard ascent of the East Ridge of Alex Lowe, the skin track usually travels below this cornice while ascending to the ridge.
Pictures of two cornice triggered avalanches way up the South Cottonwood drainage that was viewed from Alex Lowe. Looks to be in the recent days, around 9,000 feet North facing. Photo: S Lipsteuer
A massive cornice had cracked and was slowly making its way towards falling down. Cornice was around 50 feet long, and largely overhanging. Photo: S Lipsteuer
A massive cornice that has cracked and is slowly making its way towards falling down. Cornice was around 50 feet long, and largely overhanging. On the standard ascent of the East Ridge of Alex Lowe, the skin track usually travels below this cornice while ascending to the ridge. Photo S Lipsteuer
Pictures of two cornice triggered avalanches way up the South Cottonwood drainage that was viewed from Alex Lowe. Looks to be in the recent days, around 9,000 feet North facing.
Also a massive cornice that had cracked and was slowly making its way towards falling down. Cornice was around 50 feet long, and largely overhanging. On the standard ascent of the East Ridge of Alex Lowe, the skin track usually travels below this cornice while ascending to the ridge.
