While skinning (and route planning) we discussed how east-aspects at mid-elevation were beginning to feel nearly low hazard in most locations. Decided to dig two quick pits at 9,300 feet on Toot Suite: one facing north, one facing east-northeast. Included a picture of the more east-facing pit. HS was similar, neither location was windloaded, and both gave negative extended column test results (ECTX). The differences were: North pit did not have a temperature crust, in the east pit the basal facets were truly damp and in places frozen solid, and in the north pit a thin layer of facets immediately under the slab was relatively looser and drier.

Although the pits (especially the east-northeast one) were basically confidence-inspiring, they did not tempt us into Depth Hoar Bowl or the East Bowl of Alexandar Basin. These known repeaters (see Grainger and Tyler, 12/16) might be shallower and harbor weaker snow than the locations where we dug.

Looked into Alexandar Basin to see if there were avalanches from the Christmas storm, and if so, if they had stepped down into weaker snow at the ground.

There had indeed been a natural avalanche cycle within the new snow: Almost every steep piece of snow had run, frequently full track to the flats below. Small crown lines and cracks indicated that the snow had pulled out not just as loose slides but as soft slabs.

Importantly, we saw no evidence that any avalanche stepped down to basal facets. With the history of repeaters, Millcreek’s typically shallower snowpack, and the cold shady terrain, Alexandar seemed a prime place to find a persistent weak layer avalanche triggered by a smaller new-snow avalanche. The absence of step-downs indicates an even greater load (or perhaps a perfectly placed skier-trigger) would be needed to pull out the old-snow avalanche.

Sluffs could still be triggered in steep terrain. They moved more slowly than on Wednesday, but a small point release still ran 800’ down to the bottom. There were also new sluffs from this morning, especially under the warming rock bands.