Yellowstone Ski Tours

NW of Cooke City

Snowpit location was in a small clearing, though also a relatively sheltered location from the stronger wind and sun. Localized collapsing around 8500'- observed where there was a fresh 1F or P hard wind slab from Jan. 28's easterly winds. Significant wind affect from the east wind in places that are typically wind sheltered from W, SW winds. About 10 recent slab avalanches observed (from Jan. 27-28). All appeared to be at the new/ old snow interface: 20-40 cms from surface.
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NW of Cooke City

The temperature got up to 35F at the NE Entrance SNOTEL yesterday (about 7500'). The was some upside down surface snow and difficult trail breaking until about 8700'. Also, I remotely triggered a D1 soft slab while intentionally ski cutting the edge of small slope on the exit. It was about 6"-1.5' deep and 50' wide. It was on a SE aspect at 8700'.
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Sheep Creek

At around 8900' in this same area (south aspect) the HS was about 50cms, and there was a lot more faceting happening mid snowpack there. This snow in this profile was remarkable hard, and though not in an obvious wind drift, there was a significant east wind effect during the last major snowfall event (early Nov.), and likely drifted this area (typically uncommon in this exact location.) Sunset Peak and other easterly aspects in upper Sheep Creek, above about 9300', looked wind affected.
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