We rode into Tepee Basin and to the north wilderness boundary. There was 1.5-2 feet of new snow that fell since Thursday. We dug (3) snowpits on northeast, north and southeast slopes, between 8800'-9200'. The pits on northerly slopes had ECTP 17 and 22 on a thin weak layer below the new snow. We also had ECTP 6 within the storm snow. Photo: GNFAC
We rode into Tepee Basin and to the north wilderness boundary. It was snowing all day with moderate winds and some strong gusts in more open areas. We could only slightly see the bottom of some avalanche path, but did not see any signs of avalanches (there could have been some higher up in terrain obscured by clouds.)
There was 1.5-2 feet of new snow that fell since Thursday. We dug (3) snowpits on northeast, north and southeast slopes, between 8800'-9200'. The pits on northerly slopes had ECTP 17 and 22 on a thin weak layer below the new snow. We also had ECTP 6 within the storm snow.
There was minimal cracking across the surface in the new snow, but plenty of signs of fresh drifts. It felt likely you would easily trigger storm slab or wind slab avalanches on steep slopes.
Up to a foot of soft snow which seemed to have included a few inches from last weekend. Winds were transporting snow across Buck Ridge all day long.
We triggered two small and shallow wind slabs that didn't go anywhere, but they were a warning of bigger wind slabs on bigger slopes. We didn't find any faceted or weak layers of concern in the snowpack.
Wind slabs will grow in size overnight and will be the main concern tomorrow. Fortunately they will be easy to see an avoid.
Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowmobile
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
Up to a foot of soft snow which seemed to have included a few inches from last weekend. Winds were transporting snow across Buck Ridge all day long.
We triggered two small and shallow wind slabs that didn't go anywhere, but they were a warning of bigger wind slabs on bigger slopes. We didn't find any faceted or weak layers of concern deeper in the snowpack.
Wind slabs will grow in size overnight and will be the main concern tomorrow. Fortunately they will be easy to see an avoid.