I was surprised to see how weak the snowpack was in this area. Usually, this is a decently snowy part of the zone, but not this year. Average snow depths in the start zones on north to east-facing slopes were only 60-70cm. With very little wind-loading, the snowpack was completely faceted and felt like a sandbox from top to bottom. More concerning was that most slopes had ripped out during the Thanksgiving cycle and were super thin and weak. I was able to easily trigger a series of Loose Dry avalanches on steep north-facing slopes. The recent load since Thanksgiving was only 25-30cm deep but slid easily on a slick bed surface. These slopes will become super dangerous when we get more snow.

Rec trip up Gore Creek

Gore Range

From the Gore Creek trailhead up to the north-facing chute above Gore Creek

I intentionally triggered a series of Loose Dry avalanches on a steep north-facing slope that had previously slid. These gained mass and speed as they entrained more snow moving downhill.

Weak from top to bottom with no slab left intact. I dug a quick pit in a small drifted area on an east-facing slope to see how a new slab would react. I had an ECTP11 which shows how easy it will be to trigger an avalanche once a new slab forms.

Mostly clear and calm, with clouds building to the east.