23-24

From obs: "Snowpack was 5-8” of wetter snow on top of the old facet layer. 
Every time we stepped away from the skin track or skied untracked snow heard a few whumpfs and saw shooting cracks (most in the few foot range but a few extended 40-50’ across the slope). "

From obs: "Continued up towards Hyalite. Consistent whumphing when breaking trail.  Consistent beefy storm slab underneath 4-5” of fresh snow once out of the thick trees. Snow so unsupportive we couldn’t walk 15 feet to dig our pit. We also observed signs of recent natural avalanche activity in Divide Basin"

Skiers in Hyalite saw an avalanche near the top of Mt. Blackmore that likely happened early on 01/20 or late on 01/19.  Additionally, they saw more recent natural activity on the west side of the mountain. 

Toured up the Ramp in the Bridger Range. At the top of The Ramp/Wolverine I pushed on some small wind-loaded terrain features with skis. About three inches of soft snow moved/cracked no wider than my ski width, then one step lower a hard slab cracked out about 10' wide, 10-12" deep and did not move more than a few inches downhill due to flatter terrain supporting it below. The slab was pencil hardness which leads me to believe it was older than the last snowfall on Wed-Thurs, but possible it formed during that event if there was a period of moderate-strong wind at the ridge.

I had two other terrain-feature sized "whumphs" on similar small wind-loaded slopes directly adjacent. These hard slabs were sitting on sugary facets, and show that avalanches can be triggered on previously wind-loaded slopes.