23-24

From obs: "Observed this large avalanche on an east face at treeline, appears to have failed on the weak snow at the base of the snowpack. Additional crowns observed in the bowls and chutes above it (these have been repeat offenders this season). " Photo: Anonymous

We rode near the Throne today 03/03/2024. From the truck driving up and down canyon, we saw several natural loose snow avalanches that broke beneath ridgelines and one slab avalanche near Bridger Peak. While riding into the Throne we saw a large natural avalanche south of Ross Peak that likely happened early this morning. Many slopes steeper than 30 degrees had numerous natural and a few human-triggered slough avalanches that entrained storm snow from the last 24 hours, some also entraining snow that fell on Friday as well. These avalanches were large enough to bury a rider or skier. 

Near the throne on an east-facing slope at 7300', we dug a snow pit and found 23" of new snow that had fallen since Friday equaling 2.1" of snow water equivalent. 14" inches of this fell late last night (0.75" of SWE). Our stability tests yielded ECTN12 results below the new snow. Recent snow made up a little less than half of our snow pit height (HS 133 with 54 cms of new snow since Friday). 

Wind remained calm today where we rode, but all day we saw snow being transported at the ridgeline above. Storm totals were well distributed and at all aspects and elevations we rode we found roughly 20" of recent snow. 

We saw one avalanche on a southeast facing slope. At about 7,400’ on a North facing slope we experienced a valley shaking whumpf while traveling up a heavily used ski track. 

Noticed the pictured recent avalanche on an east facing aspect in the alpine of Beehive Basin. I would estimate it at a D2 size slide. It seems to have been naturally triggered by cornice fall and likely stepped down to older faceted snow deeper in the snowpack. 

Toured from the buffalo horn pass trail head to the pass itself. I didn’t go super high only a little over 8600’. I was shocked by the stability the snowpack showed however. I only had 1 collapse all day and that was at the trailhead. I wasn’t getting cracking at my feet. I definitely don’t trust the snowpack but it is the least reactive place I’ve seen yet to a fresh dump. Definitely some recent wind loading up high. I’d say a foot of new snow at the pass itself and 8” at the trailhead. 

Toured to the zipper for some 25° meadows and while the skiing was excellent, the stability was not. We triggered numerous thundering whumphs and got shooting cracks, the largest of which propagated at least 100' wide! See snow profile attached with test results.

From the top of Alp rock today saw a deep avalanche on south facing terrain above star creek 

Saw two more deep avalanches in alp gully. These broke 5 get deep. One is D2 the other is D1

6" snow since Friday at 6000' in Mill Creek, very strong winds last night. Observed this large avalanche on an east face at treeline, appears to have failed on the weak snow at the base of the snowpack. Additional crowns observed in the bowls and chutes above it (these have been repeat offenders this season).