The December drought persistent weak layer is still prominent and concerning but the overlying slab is weak and faceted to the point where triggering a slab avalanche would be unlikely. The current snow surface will be the main persistent weak layer of concern moving forward and any slopes that are wind-loaded and developed a slab on the upper weak layer are already concerning. Currently, the Loose Dry avalanches are the greatest danger growing large enough to bury a person without terrain traps on sustained steep slopes. The loose avalanche issue is a good indicator of how weak the entire snowpack is and how dangerous conditions will become when snow returns.

McClure Pass to Coal Basin

Up Huntsman Ridge from McClure Pass into Hayes Creek then into Coal Creek

Triggered one very small hard slab on a wind-loaded slope just below ridgeline and several Loose Dry avalanches on steep northeast-facing slopes including a D2 Loose Dry avalanche that grew large enough to break a couple of small trees.

The December drought persistent weak layer (PWL) is still very prominent throughout this area composed of large, well-developed facets or buried surface hoar. It is not as concerning right now as the overlying slab, while still about 4F to 1F- hard (on the hand hardness scale) and supportable to skis, is composed of faceted grains and shows no propagation during long-column snowpack tests. The current snow surface is composed of well-developed facets as well and will be the main PWL of concern when snow returns. This PWL is currently only a concern on wind-loaded slopes where there is a thin, dense slab on top of it. The extent of the Loose Dry avalanche activity hints at how weak the entire snowpack is from top to bottom on any shady slope. All southerly, sunny slopes had a thick melt-freeze crust on the snow surface that could fully support my weight on skis.

Warm, sunny day with a light to moderate breeze from the east lightly moving some snow along ridgelines.