Mariah's Pass area

Traveled to the area named after John F. Stevens niece Mariah. Chose this location because Mariah's Pass is a wind tunnel and this mornings advisory listed wind slab as today's only avalanche problem. 

• The recent rain event deposited a crust to over 7000'.
• Recent new snow has been transported by west winds. Most open areas were completely scoured with leeward aspects harboring the new snow. Drifts were thin and only up to 5" thick.
• Wind slabs were isolated and stubborn to triggering
• Fresh cornice formation was not bonding with the underlying rain crust. These were easy to release with ski stomping but were only up to 6" thick.
• Minimal cracking noted in the wind drifted snow.
• 2 upper elevation glide cracks were observed on Little Dog Mountain. 
• A handful of glide cracks were observed on the cut banks of the Middle Fork River in the vicinity of the Goat Lick.
• No recent avalanche activity observed