We were eager to see how 30+ cm of new dry snow with strong SE windloading from yesterday would react on the poor bond of the facets and faceted melt freeze crust from the last warm storm. We were not disappointed, it was quite thoroughly unstable. We did not see any natural releases yet, though fog and falling snow limited our ability to spot any.

We tested two sites. The first, at the top of Boulder Chute, was a bit flat at only 33° but was the only safe spot under the conditions. It was also wind affected. The weak facet layer was largely blown away on the ridge, and there was a stiff windslab with a midlevel weakness caused by a thin layer of lower density snow.

We supplemented these less representative results with a quick AK Block test on the way down through the glades that was far more like the results we got in our slope tests. The snow was much softer, the weak facet layer on the icy crust was much more pronounced, and the block went at #2 as our tester began to step onto it on a 44° slope. The adjacent snow cracked and started to slide as the tester approached the block.

Most small test slopes over 35 - 40° released easily when ski cut, shear values were low, and the slab was very reactive. The Eaglecrest Ski Patrol reported that most paths slid during explosive work today, and other hikers reported the same instability we saw.

Slabs are thick enough to be dangerous, and the bed surface has very little friction, so potential speeds are high. It is likely that additional load will result in a cycle of naturally releasing slab avalanches. The north winds forecast and already beginning to occur tonight are likely to load and trigger paths in the area. Volumes are still only moderate, but slides could be fast enough to reach lower elevations. The weak layer is likely to produce persistent instability that will not settle out.

The snow quality was dry, powdery, and good for riding, but our recommendation is to stick to the ski area if they open (still no word for certain), stay inbounds, and don't duck into any closed areas. Second best is to stay on gentle slopes under 30°.

If the area does not open and you hike in it, be sure to check with the Patrol before you head up. They were using explosives today. You would not want to be under the slope or close to the blast when the avalanche charges go off.