Sluffs in very steep terrain, over 40 deg. These were low in volume.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Seattle Ridge
Great day at the Turnagain Pass motorized lot practicing avalanche rescue with 30+ backcountry enthusiasts! Thanks to all those that attend the first ‘CNFAIC Avalanche Rescue Workshop’ of the season. The next one will be on January 9th.
Rode to the top of Seattle Ridge in the afternoon to get a look at the new snow stability and see if anyone had triggered an avalanche. The only avalanche activity we saw were very small loose snow sluffs.
Observer Comments
Weather
Valley fog and mostly clear skies. Light and variable winds. Temperatures in the 20's F.
Snow surface
12-18" of loose storm snow that is settling 'right-side-up' (looser snow on top of stronger snow). The clear skies and cool temperatures have changed the character of the storm snow and loosened the surface (good skiing and riding!).
Snowpack
Many folks were getting onto steeper terrain today with no signs of slab avalanches triggered. In general, it looks as though the storm snow is stabilizing well and 'relatively' quickly - don't forget this the first day after the storm however. Cornices have grown and look menacing in some areas.
Ski and Snowmachine tracks on the Widowmaker slide path
Tracks on South facing Warmup Bowl (-1 Bowl)
Top of the uptrack where it meets the top of Zero Bowl (Mama's Bowl) - note the cornice that the tracks get quite close to.
Tincan Common Bowl and Hippy Bowl Viewed from Seattle Ridge. Hard to see signs of avalanches both in the CFR lower in photo as well as in Hippy Bowl. These look to have released at the tail end of the storm.
Natural avalanche in Grandaddy Couloir - hard to see the crowns but you can kind of see the old snowed over debris. Looks to have ran mid storm.
Valley Fog, looking South.