Observation Date: 01/09/2021

Route/Location:
Northern Bitterroot.

ECTN23 on SE aspect, 7800′, ~15 degree slope. Though it didn’t propagate, a fracture cracked diagonally downward halfway across the extended column. Total snow depth 135 cm. 3 distinct layers of concern at 50, 80, and 105 cm from ground. Snow in the bottom half of the pack was very coarse (1.5 mm facets), sugary and unconsolidated. That and the crack in the ECT was all I needed to decide to keep it 30 degrees and less.

Skiing on NE aspects above 7500′ was quite good.

Weather:
Mostly cloudy, dense cloud ceiling around 8500′, 0 wind, mid 20’s at elevation.

Wind:
None

New Snow: 0-3″

Avalanche Activity:
None observed except some small point releases from cliff faces.

Other Comments:

Observer: GG Gaines