Dipping our toes back in the MF

We visited the Middle Fork to look at surface conditions and recent avalanche activity following this week's bountiful precipitation. Due to rough low-elevation conditions, we chose an easy access route and short tour to minimize the suffering.

• We noted slides on nearly all mid-elevation avalanche paths on north and south aspects. Most paths ran as either dry slabs or dry loose early in the storm and wet loose later. Dry debris generally ran full path, with wet debris running slightly less distance. The destructive size varied between D2 - D2.5.
• One storm slab at 5200 feet had a 1000 foot wide crown.
• There were about 10 slabs visible at low elevations.
• Mid-elevation crowns were mainly filled in, while low-elevation crowns remained visible. 
• Upper elevations remained obscured.
• Overnight cool temperatures left a one-inch thick breakable surface crust capped with 2 inches of snow that fell this morning. Unsupportable isothermic snow exists below the crust.