Mitchell Creek

A poor overnight refreeze left a wet, mushy snowpack below 5800 ft. Above this, travel was firm, and generally safe avalanche conditions prevailed. The bigger hazard at these elevations is the long sliding fall risk on steep terrain. 

Another mild night left a mushy, wet snowpack below 5800 ft. While the 'pack was supportable on skis, it wasn't without. I would often sink up to my knees (40 cm or so deep). Quick profiles reveled wet grains making up the upper 30-50 cm with a favorable right side up structure beneath. 

The recent warm-up left its mark. Windward aspects and steep south have barely any snow. Lower and mid-elevations are littered with canopy debris. Upper elevations are firm with lighter shades of drifted snow present on leeward features above 7000 ft. These wind-loaded pockets aappeared shallow and isolated.