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Well that was a welcome little top-up: 80 cm over the last 2 days, and still more to come! Unfortunately, this increases the danger level, as this new snow has not had time to stabilise, and avalanches will be easy to trigger and could be large. The main avalanche problem is new snow instability, but don't forget about the possibility of deeper weaknesses. Approach all steep slopes with caution and just give the new snow time to settle before getting after it - Saturday is not the day to go big! Take it easy for a day or two and give the snowpack time to adjust. The skiing will be better when the snow settles too :)
MULTIPLE size 2 natural avalanches on Miketi and Sheli SE slopes starting at 2600-2400 m.
Size 2 rider-triggered avalanche in left bowl of Lower Kobi valley at 2400 m.
Caught 3 riders - all 3 were extracted succesfully.
MULTIPLE Size 2 wet loose slides at Kudebi 2 S and SW slope starting at 2500-2800 m.
MULTIPLE Size 2 and 3 windslab avalanches on W wall of Kobi lower valley starting at 2700-2950 m.
Two size 3 wet loose avalanche on Kudebi 2 E face towards Khada valley
Before the new snowfall, in the sub-alpine and alpine zones, recent warming had consolidated the pack, lessening the danger of weak layers - however these same elevations saw significant loose wet avalanche activity, with some very large slides up to size 3.
Above about 2500 m, we still need to watch out for various buried weaknesses, including old surface hoar, sun crusts and weak snow at the ground in isolated locations. A whumph was reported on 27/2 on a SE aspect at 2700m - this could have been a buried sun crust.
Up to 20 cm more snow over Friday night and through Saturday, with winds turning N, forecast to be moderate at high elevations. A daytime freezing level of 1200 m is predicted.
Bad visibility. Previously visible obstacles are now buried under low-denstity snow - be suspicious of all lumps!