Wind-drifting was the player today. Sustained winds (there was never really a break from them even for a moment) from the south created fresh cornices and wind-loaded slopes on many different aspects. Cornices grew so quickly that they would collapse quickly. These were small, but an indication of the rapid wind-loading, with some small natural avalanches from cornice falls along north-facing East Bowl Pass.

Our route today was East Bowl from Alta, with an exit up Grizzly Gulch to the Microwave. We triggered an avalanche on west-facing slope below the microwave and is submitted in a separate avalanche occurrence. This was on a cross-loaded terrain feature and the avalanche occurred on a steep rollover 10m below us.

Wind-drifted avalanches weren't large today, mostly class 1, but they could have been consequential if you were pushed into trees or over cliff bands.

Photos:

- Corniced ridgeline

- Downsloping winds - notice the wind-drifting below the ski tracks!

- Two natural avalanches on a cross-loaded slope above Michigan City.

- The numerous small natural cornice falls we noticed. These were small but indicated the rapid wind-loading that was occurring.