Big dog on Little

Enjoyed a sunny and almost windless day on the Continental Divide near Marias Pass.

• Solid overnight freeze.
• 2-6" of recent snow was moist to wet on slopes receiving direct sun by mid-morning, with lots of rollerballs from booting.
• Recent snow on northerly slopes above ~7500 feet stayed mostly dry. Some small drifts 12-15" deep on ridgeline.
• Below the recent snow, the snowpack is very well consolidated at mid elevations, and supportable on foot even mid afternoon except in shallow patches.
• Numerous natural wet loose avalanches off very steep, southeasterly slopes late morning to midday (Avalanche tab). These did not continue as sun worked west.
• Debris from a natural glide avalanche had run over 2000 vertical feet (avalanche tab; images). This crack was visible 5/11. Guestimating it failed about 5/18-19, based on recent snow on bed surface and track.
• Unusual snow cover at upper elevations fo rthis time of year (image), with continuous snow 5500-6000 feet. Cornices remain well-formed and large.