Bruiser-26-Dec

East Face > Clems > Bruiser

Date

12/25/2019

Location

Day #

32

Avalanche Danger

2,2,2

Small to large persistent slabs possible on NE-N-E across all elevations.

Ski Partners

Holley G

Route

Rode lifts to Morningside then skied East face > Clems > N side of Bruiser. Exited via the canyon.

Weather

Periods of light snow showers. High of 19F at Storm Peak Lab. West wind 10-15mph gusting to 25mph.

HSN24

4"

HSN48

4"

Precip

S1

Sky

Overcast

Winds

Light W

Temps

17F @ 1pm (17F/31F)

Ski Pen

5"

Foot Pen

12"

Snowpack Observations

Snowpack observed on N & SW aspects BTL. HS variable 80-130cm.

S/SW aspects (Girly Turns, 9700-1000′) had shallower snowpack depths (~80cm) and crusts of variable thicknesses HN 5″.

N aspects (clems & N Bruiser, 9600-10100′) HS ~130cm. Upper/mid pack slab F -> P (top down to 85cm) on ~40cm basal facets. HN 5″ reactive, either sluffing  (steeper slopes Bruiser bowl) or sliding as a thin cohesive slab (upper canyon below Nose Bleed) on layer of .5mm-3cm surface hoar. Thinner and weaker snowpack exiting the canyon.

Riding Quality

Skiing was good, the 5″ of new snow helped a lot and made for some good skiing. Sporty exit out of the canyon due to thin cover and exposed shrubbery.