Avalanches du jour In Crystal Zone

Toured into Crystal Creek to investigate storm and deep slab activity from our last storm cycle.

• We observed approx. 10-12" of low density snow during last 24 hours throughout our tour
• We observed several rain crust within the snowpack primarily below 5400'
• At approx. 5400', rain crust were fewer and non-existent above 5700'
• Between approx. 4800 - 5500', we observed a thin rain crust mixed with low density snowfall during last 24 hours (this was consistent with conditions my partner observed on Monday at WMR at similar elevations)
• We observed one large slab avalanche on the east aspect of Nyack Mountain and a couple storm slab avalanches
• No obvious signs of instability were observed during our tour such as cracking or collapses
• Small test slopes were unable to produce new storm slabs (they appeared to be stubborn today in this zone)
• Winds were calm until we reached the ridgeline between Stanton and Crystal Creeks and then, we experienced generally light winds with consistent, moderate gusts
• Little to no snow transport was observed at the elevations we toured in, but due to low light and reduced visibility it was hard to determine snow transport to higher peaks
• No evidence of wind-stiffened slabs along ridgeline between Stanton and Crystal Creeks