We rode in the Central Bear River Range today at elevations above 8500 feet. Wind and dense snow has done a number on the riding conditions on all aspects. However, we were able to find decent riding conditions in protected areas.

Wind slabs were sensitive today and there was plenty of wind to deposit snow in unusual areas. I kicked off a 15 X 20 foot wind slab just as I rolled into a North facing 40+ degree chute (sorry, bad lighting so I couldn't get a decent picture). The slab was a foot deep at the most but probably only averaged 6 inches deep. I was able to get off the slab as it rocketed down the firm sliding surface in the remainder of the chute. The avalanche traveled approximately 400 vertical feet before coming to rest on a bench below. We found some sensitive wind slab on a different slope as we traversed a steep north facing slope but, other than small 5 foot pockets, nothing slid very far.

Winds were raging along the ridgelines and nearly blew us off our feet several times.