Surprise debris crossing on the way to Smith Basin

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Surprise debris crossing on the way to Smith Basin

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Good
Snow conditions were:
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Mellow slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Cold

Comments

Good riding today on all aspects in BTL terrain. We stuck to mellow slopes and did not linger anywhere with overhead hazard. Snow had clearly been heavily wind affected at alpine and tree line as evidenced by wind slab avalanches within the past 48-72 hours, up to size 3 and running full path. We suspect some of these wind slabs had been triggered by cornice fall and then stepped down to the Jan 5 and Dec 15 persistent weak layers. See attached pictures of the start zone, track and deposit.