Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Ian bryant 

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
Pine mountain 

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
20230408

Time
17:15

Road conditions to area

Temperature
60

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Calm (smoke rises vertically)

Wind direction
W

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North West

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
35

Elevation

Snow depth
>280

Boot/ Ski penetration
Shin to thigh 

Activity, recent avalanches
yes

Brief description
Rapid warming

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no

Rapid warming
yes

Obvious avalanche path
yes

Terrain trap
yes

Comment
April 8th, 2023
Firm icy conditions early yielded to almost corn conditions as temps rose…
We climbed acorn canyon above WW in dawn hours to destination pine mtn. Morning had us traveling on firm icy conditions where crampons and ice axe were needed. North and West aspects were bulletproof so at 10 am we dropped an east aspect along north backbone under pine mountain. Drop at approx 8800’ and rode down to 7700’. Snow had the look of corn but wasn’t quite corn yet as we found most of the snow we were to ride was in transition still. 
We climbed on and later summited. Dropped north gully and found some colder and drier snow up high near summit that was nice to ride, but soon found slower old hot powder below that was fun but laboring. 
Around 16:30 we were on top of acorn canyon and dropped north aspect where we careful not to set off several wet loose slides that weren’t necessarily large but concerning given the consistency. 
Fun day, but snow is still transitioning.
Keep your head on a swivel. 

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Climbing up our first drop under easterly aspect

Outlined descents