23-24

We rode portal creek meadows as an exploratory mission as neither Kyle Marvinney nor myself had ventured there much. New snow from the previous storm cycle had settled to about 4 inches, but it was hard to tell due to widespread wind effect. Judging from the snow, temps up there have mostly stayed below freezing during this previous warm cycle (after Monday/Tuesday storm), though there is fairly supportable crust below the storm layer. winds were blowing consistently 10mph up high gusting to and estimated 25mph. We observed one small avalanche in the riding area that occurred before the recent storm cycle and seemed characteristic of other similarly sized avalanches we have been observing throughout the season.

We rode into Lionhead with the USGS and USFS snow chemistry, hydrology and soil science teams. At the top of Ski Hill we dug a snow pit and in stability tests we got an ECPT27, that failed on weak snow near the ground. 
From here we rode to Motor Hill via Denny Creek. While crossing below Lionhead Ridge we saw an avalanche in Airplane Bowl that likely happened a few days ago. This avalanche broke 12” deep and 100’ wide. 
Above Motor Hill we dug another snow pit on an easterly aspect at 8600’. We had unremarkable test scores of ECTX (twice) and a PST 63/100 end. We saw a similarly poor structure as our previous pit, with weak sugary snow low in the snowpack. 
This morning with better visibility we stopped at the Hebgin pull out and were able to see 3 recent avalanches along Lionhead Ridge that were likely the result of recent wind blown snow. 

Our snow pit results above and the lack of deep avalanche activity were encouraging and initiating failure is becoming more difficult. This will change with incoming snow and wind so expect the avalanche danger to increase. This storm will hopefully test the snowpack and we are curious to see if it results in widespread avalanches or is able to support the new and wind drifted snow. 

Toured up Republic Creek today. Went to the ridge below Republic Mountain and then to Woody Ridge. 
 

winds picked up throughout the day and by afternoon were moderate gusting to strong at treeline and ridge tops from the W,SW.

started lightly snowing around 1 pm. 

observed 2 crowns in wind loaded terrain. One at the end of Woody ridge on a north facing sub ridge (Peterson’s prow ) and the other on an East facing Ridge seen from the top of Wyoming bowl. 

Touring from 6800' - 8800'  breakable crust - both directions! Lots of whumphing down low but then none above 84-8600'.  

Skiing some dog pow across Hyalite reservoir between 7200-7800’ on a NE pitch I got lots of whumphs and shooting cracks while braking trail. This was a shallower snowpack than most other areas, it was still easy to break into basil facets with skis on.

Skiing some dog pow across Hyalite reservoir between 7200-7800’ on a NE pitch I got lots of whumphs and shooting cracks while braking trail. This was a shallower snowpack than most other areas, it was still easy to break into basil facets with skis on.

Skiing some dog pow across Hyalite reservoir between 7200-7800’ on a NE pitch I got lots of whumphs and shooting cracks while braking trail. This was a shallower snowpack than most other areas, it was still easy to break into basil facets with skis on.