Yellowstone Ski Tours

Dug this snowpit on belay.

The surface snow had widespread wind effect above 9500'.

Localized wind effect, and drifts that were pencil hard and were sensitive to the weight of a skier, in areas along the NE ridge (from recent northerly winds). These areas did not appear to be widespread. One natural avalanche observed on an upper elevation east/ NE aspect near by, just lookers left of the Fin. The avalanche appeared to have started from a cornice fall.

We observed one recent slab avalanche (possibly 4 days old) on an adjacent SE aspect at 8600'. The crown looked to be about 15m wide and 50cms deep, on what appeared to be a non wind loaded slope.

Much shallower and weaker snow on windward SW aspects-like in this snowpit. NW aspects around this area have over 130cm HS. Thin soft slabs forming in exposed areas due to the, blustery, westerly winds. Surface cracking in localized areas. Light density new snow.

Looks too good to be true! Which it was.. Found much shallower and weaker snow 100' vertical higher, and turned around- slab over depth hoar, which would crack easily the length of your skis. Lots of rime from the last 48 hours above 9500' also.

Thin snow on approach. Minor surface cracking in places (denser new snow from yesterday). Lots of rime above 9500'.