Observation: Turnagain

We skinned up the common track today, leaving at about 1pm at temperatures of 36 degrees. Ice and snow had turned to water on the highway. Heavy low clouds/ fog in the valley. Below tree line had anywhere between 12-16 inches of fresh soft powder, and this thinned out to about 8 inches above tree line. We cleared the fog around tree line, and noticed two larger naturally released slides on the tin can common ridgeline (CFR) (pictured), as well as a number of wet looking cornice fall/ wet slide/ point release on the ridgeline going up towards Proper peak (pictured). There was zero wind, and beautiful sun above the clouds.

I dug a pit on a SW facing 30 degree slope in hippie bowl, just below the common summit at 3180 feet elevation. Snow depth 180 cm, and results ECTP7 @23cm. A shovel shear test on a 30x30cm column yielded immediate shearing at 23cm & 50cm (pictured). It again sheared easily at 110cm. A hand hardness test yielded a soft layer below 50cm. While digging the pit, I watched a wet slide cornice fall occur on the ridgeline going to proper.

Meeting some other skiers, they said they had a small slab pop off at similar aspect as common bowl, and while we watched skiers above consider the bowl, they gave it a “50/50.” they also said they peeked over the ridgeline on the common peak and said things were popping off all over.