During an early dawn patrol this morning I observed several Wet Loose avalanches at 7,600’. The largest slide originated from an east-facing path near 8,100’ (Photo 1). Debris was fresh with slight signs of settlement, indicating it likely occurred yesterday after the slide path and surrounding rock received several hours of direct sunlight. Several smaller Wet Loose avalanches also ran on W/SW aspects along the climber’s right side of the gulch.

A 4 in. (10 cm) melt-freeze crust was present. As mentioned in the forecast, a temperature inversion was in effect early morning, with trailhead temperatures more than 10°F colder than the ridgetops in LCC. The sky was clear and wind was calm.

Photo 2 shows avalanche debris in several south-facing chutes, viewed from White Pine.