Slushfest 2021

Headed to Mt. Brown to watch for avalanche activity.

• Surface was refrozen, temps were below freezing, and crampons were handy during the initial approach.
• By 1000 southern aspects below 5,000 feet were thawing quickly. By 1120, mid-elevation snow surfaces were beginning to thaw.
• Arriving at The Lookout, we observed increased Loose Wet avalanche activity, noting about a dozen D1-D2 slides and a tremendous amount roller balls on southerly aspects.
• In sheltered, shaded terrain 3mm Surface Hoar was sitting on top of half an inch of rain crust from last Sunday.
• Above 7000 feet the snowpack was dry and southern aspects were getting wet for the first time with roller ball activity.
• Large, sagging cornices loom over steep slopes.
• While descending, southern aspect conditions were definitely ripe for skier triggered wet loose avalanches.
• By 3pm, below 5000 feet, the snowpack was thoroughly wet and ski penetration was the full depth of the snowpack.
• We had no propagating results in two test pits on both north and south facing slopes above 7,000 feet.
• We did not observe any collapsing in buried weak layers or slab avalanche activity.

We traveled a ridgeline with no overhead hazards and avoided slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Plenty of sunshine and wet snow!