Observation Date: 01/13/2019

Route/Location:
Lost Trail Pass backcountry, SW of Saddle Mountain. 7000-8000 ft

Weather:
A major temperature inversion throughout the day led to sunny, warm conditions at higher elevations. 40+ degrees at 8000 ft in the afternoon.

Wind:
Calm

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
Some small wet slides found on S and SW aspects from a day or two prior.

Other Comments:
Toured on low angle terrain just outside of Lost Trail Pass ski area and found the snowpack to be shallow and variable. Much of the snowpack has turned into depth hoar and has little structure. In certain areas you could step out of skis, punch through thin upper layers, and sink 1m+ to the ground.

We experienced wumphing and collapsing on solar aspects in the afternoon.

Observer: Dan Stone