Mongolian Sunshine

Quick report

Weather

sunny, warm

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

powder

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSnow, avalancheConditionTemp

Good day in Mongolia/Outer Mongolia! Ski quality was great, especially on shaded slopes, 25+cm on a supportive crust. As the forecast cautioned, by noon the sun packed a punch, creating heavy, sticky snow on sunny slopes. At the top of the steeper south-facing slope dropping away from Mongolia (Outer Mongolia? Ron Jeremy... bowl...?), the first skier cut a sluff that quickly entrained moist snow up to ~size 1+ (unable to see the complete runout), running fast on the hard steep crust beneath. Skier was not caught. We opted to back-off and lap the north-facing slope returning to Mongolia. Also came across another wet-ish (moist?) loose on the exit skin track. The start location was unclear, but potentially skier triggered. Observed one natural release from sun-exposed rock on Mongolia headwall. No propagation/slab behaviour associated with any of the observed avalanche activity. Notable accumulation of graupel on the surface may be a concern with the next snowfall.