On Jan 2, 2025 we saw three avalanches just north of Daisy Pass and one on Henderson Mtn. The one on Henderson was difficult to see the crown, but we could see the debris. Two of the slides north of Daisy were 2-3' deep and 100-150' wide and ran into thick stands of trees, looked like thick soft slabs/drifts of recent snowfall. There were a lot of tracks from previous days nearby, but trigger in unknown. The other slide was 1-2' deep and 300-500' wide, soft slab of recent snow. Photo: GNFAC
Jan 2, 2025 We dug a pit between Scotch Bonnet and Sheep Mtn. on a sw facing slope at 9,800'. HS was 135cm (4feet). We had ECTP12 and ECTP26, both on a layer at similar height as the surface hoar has been found (1.5-2 feet above the ground). The weak layer was mostly 2-3mm facets w/ small cups and some signs of surface hoar on top of a melt-freeze crust. Photo: GNFAC
We rode over Daisy Pass and out to Abundance, then around Fisher and behind Scotch Bonnet, and back to Lulu Road. Visability was marginal with overcast skies and light snowfall in and out through the day. Wind was light to moderate with moderate gusts. Moving some snow from trees and along the surface, stiffening slabs. Snowfall rates picked up this evening.
We saw three avalanches just north of Daisy Pass and one on Henderson Mtn. The one on Henderson was difficult to see the crown, but we could see the debris. Two of the slides north of Daisy were 2-3' deep and 100-150' wide and ran into thick stands of trees, looked like thick soft slabs/drifts of recent snowfall. The other slide was 1-2' deep and 300-500' wide, soft slab of recent snow.
We dug a pit between Scotch Bonnet and Sheep Mtn. on a sw facing slope at 9,800'. HS was 135cm (4feet). We had ECTP12 and ECTP26, both on a layer at similar height as the surface hoar has been found (1.5-2 feet above the ground). The weak layer was mostly 2-3mm facets w/ small cups and some signs of surface hoar on top of a melt-freeze crust.
With a lot of recent new snow and more on the way, plus recent avalanches and poor snow structure, I expect avalanches will continue through the weekend. Choose routes that avoid travel on and below slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Rode out to Wolverine Pass on New Years Eve. Daisy pass is a little spicy for novices still. On approach to wolverine pass/YNP boundary we found HS 160cm on NE facing slope at 9200'. Found 3-4mm SH in tact at 110 cm deep. Found 1-2mm FC at 60cm deep. Ectn27 at storm interface layer 60 cm deep. No results on SH layer, but many collapses during the day assumed to be on this layer. Large D2-3 deep Slab avalanche seen on NW facing slope of Sunset Peak. Picture attached. Generally stable condions, but big avalanches on N,NE,NW facing slopes are a real concern for sure.
Rode out to Wolverine Pass on New Years Eve. Daisy pass is a little spicy for novices still. On approach to wolverine pass/YNP boundary we found HS 160cm on NE facing slope at 9200'. Found 3-4mm SH in tact at 110 cm deep. Found 1-2mm FC at 60cm deep. Ectn27 at storm interface layer 60 cm deep. No results on SH layer, but many collapses during the day assumed to be on this layer. Large D2-3 deep Slab avalanche seen on NW facing slope of Sunset Peak. Picture attached. Generally stable condions, but big avalanches on N,NE,NW facing slopes are a real concern for sure.
Rode out to Wolverine Pass on New Years Eve. On approach to wolverine pass/YNP boundary we found HS 160cm on NE facing slope at 9200'. Found 3-4mm SH in tact at 110 cm deep. Found 1-2mm FC at 60cm deep. Ectn27 at storm interface layer 60 cm deep. No results on SH layer, but many collapses during the day assumed to be on this layer. Large D2-3 deep Slab avalanche seen on NW facing slope of Sunset Peak. Picture attached. Generally stable conditions, but big avalanches on N,NE,NW facing slopes are a real concern for sure.
From obs "We were ski touring on the SW side of Mt. Henderson today, and noticed a large (natural?) avalanche on the NE aspect of Henderson. First observed at around 1:15pm. It appeared to be very fresh, possibly from a remote trigger this morning.
