Seneca Chutes on Angora - Melt-freeze conditions and old avalanche debris

Spent the morning in the Seneca Chutes off Angora skiing melt freeze snow as it softened under the morning sun/warm temperatures. HS in the chutes ranged from 40-120cm depending on wind deposits. A supportable melt-freeze crust has formed on southern aspects in this zone, varying in thickness up to 10cm thick. In areas of the chutes sheltered by the sun, recent wind loaded snow remained crust free.

Surface snow movement in 40+ degree terrain was the only sign of instability observed today. By 11am, snow surfaces had warmed drastically, with moist grains at the surface.

Evidence of avalanche activity existed from the Dec. 10 storm cycle in the form debris piles at the bottom of both the main South and Southeast chutes. Debris piles ranged from 170-270cm deep. Noticable deposition was observed on trees at the bottom of the slide paths 6+ feet high (most likely from powder clouds). Avalanche size estimated to be D3.