Used the ridge between Marion and Dickey Creeks to check out distribution and sensitivity of Storm Slab and Persistent Slab avalanche problems at mid elevations. Most of travel on southerly side of ridge.
Given the lack of cracking or collapses, plus no propogation/ fractures in column tests, we skied planar southerly slopes up to 35 degrees. In steeper terrain, we skied the bed surface or debris of recent slides (not the chore it seems; they covered w plenty of fresh snow). Thin sun crust from Thursday buried 3-5" below surface; little effect on skiing.
Marion/ Dickey Ridge, via Marion Lake Tra
Largest of at least 3 slides like this in terrain we observed on Marion side of ridge; likely more further out ridge. 2-3 more on Dickey/ Paola Ridge that ran to similar elevation; may have started higher. The 2/2 crust was not distinct, if present, in the crown I checked out. BEd and debris covered by ~12" recent snow.
Did not travel on enough N-facing terrain to see how extensive cycle was on this aspect. NE facing slopes on Essex Mountain did not appear to have crowns (or they were obscured).
