Observation Date: 01/23/2018

Route/Location:
Toured up to Little St.Joe peak in the Bitterroot, followed the standard ridge route to the summit. Lapped the main east facing bowl.

Weather:
Partially sunny. Snow surfaces stayed cold and dry throughout the day.

Wind:
Gusty winds primarily coming out of the SW. Observed active wind transport, particularly at high elevations.

New Snow: 6-12″

Avalanche Activity:
No avalanche activity. No shooting, whumphing or cracking. Storm snow sloughing on steeper terrain. We found a weak wind slab near the summit ridgeline, resting on the upper shots before dropping into the bowl.

Other Comments:
Dug a pit at 8400′, East Aspect.
Total snowpack: 185cm.
CT11 @175cm Q3.
CT14 @150cm Q3.
CT21 @140cm Q2.
CT26 @125cm Q2.
ECTN22 @150cm Q3.
None of our suspect weak layers propagated. Snowpack was right side up, only concern was sloughing storm snow. Felt safe skiing on steep terrain.

Observer: Erik McLaury