General Observations

Lutak Zone: Above treeline temps 15F at night and 32F during the day, sunny and clear. North aspects had D1-D2 soft slab avalanches observed on steep wind loaded pockets of terrain down 10-40cm photo #1 and #3. South aspect observed D2 slide that likely ran on a mix of crusts and facets photo #2, as well there was evidence of wet and dry loose slides off steep cliffs. Whumphing near shallow ridge-lines and sun exposed slopes where depth hoar and sun crusts were present.

Upper northern aspects had soft surface conditions, however, on a very steep (45+ degree) west-aspect found 3-4cm ice crust down 25cm with facets underneath. One hypothesis is the November rain crust is still present and sloughed off the majority of light dry powder that fell throughout the season. Look at the bed surface of the deep slab photo #4 that failed under a cornice.

Below treeline on east aspect photo #5 is an example of un-supported slab and what is happening as temps/solar radiation increase and underlying terrain heats up. Surface hoar is forming in sheltered location.