We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC
We rode into the Taylor Fork, down into the bottom of Sunlight Basin, across Carrot Basin and to the Wilderness Boundary. We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Additionally, we saw one wind slab avalanche (R1, D1) in Sunlight Basin. This slide was fresh from this morning or yesterday.
We dug a crown profile for the persistent slab avalanche in Sunlight (attached). ECTN24 on the SH layer buried 50 cm (20") deep.
Buried layers of surface hoar often show up a stripe in a snowpit wall (other things such a thin melt-freeze crust can look similar but feel much differently). A snowmobiler-triggered avalanche in Sunlight Basin broke on this weak layer of feathery surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC
Relatively small persistent slab avalanche in Carrot Basin in the Taylor Fork. Photo: GNFAC
We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC
Persistent slab avalanche on a wind loaded slope in Sage Basin in the Taylor Fork area. Photo: GNFAC
Alex Marienthal walks up the bed surface of an avalanche to investigate the snowpack structure. Photo: GNFAC
