Observation Date: 01/01/2020

Route/Location:
Lost Trial Powder Mountain side country.

Weather:
Snowed about 4-5 inches today and moderate to strong winds out of the west. Total storm depth 1-2 feet.

Wind:
Gusty winds out of the W

New Snow: 12+”

Avalanche Activity:
Natural avalanches spotted on slopes over 30 degrees. We had widespread cracking and collapsing in our travels. Winds were transporting snow forming sensitive wind slabs and increasing the potential for persistent slab avalanches.

Other Comments:
Touchy conditions, so we stuck to low angle slopes less than 30 degrees. Also dug one pit at 7400 feet on a N facing aspect. HS 125cm. ECTP11 on buried surface hoar below the new storm snow about a foot or two down. I performed a PST in the depth hoar layer about a foot from the ground and got PSTE@10cm/100cm.

Observer: Todd Glew