Transition to Spring in the Centennials

Skied Hellroaring Hut in the Centennials from Friday Mar 28 through Mon Mar 31.

Skied and observed all aspects between 7700' and 10,200' in the vicinity of Mt Jefferson and Reas Peak.

We had good visibility for three days and saw no signs of slab avalanches; no whumphing or cracking; and no signs of blowing or drifting snow (prior to new snow arriving today (Mar 31) snow surface was locked up with solid melt-freeze crusts on all aspects and elevations).

Snow surface starting to show meltwater runnels on S through E aspects below 9000'.

Test pits on N and S aspects at 9100' revealed moist snow under melt-freeze crusts (3" thick breakable crust on N aspects; 10" thick stout crust on S aspects) and no identifiable layers of concern in the upper 130 cm of the snowpack. HS 165 cm on S aspect at 9100' and HS 260 cm on N aspect at 9100'.

We observed pinwheels and predictable wet loose avalanches (D1 to D1.5) on solar aspects above 8000' on Fri and Sat.

Snow started this morning (3/31) and 2.5" of new snow had accumulated when we left at 11:00 a.m. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the south today.