Quick report
Went into Hillman’s Highway around sunrise this morning. Winds were high from the west at the time and actively loading slopes. The climbers right side was noticeably smoother with new snow deposits, however the gully was filled with smooth snow. I knew plenty of people had climbed and skied Hillman’s yesterday, but all tracks were covered, save a boot pack hard climbers left. Low in the gully, hand shear tests were mixed. Lower down, the newly formed/actively forming slab was more stubborn and comprised of ~2” of snow sitting on ~6”, with a weak interface. These layers broke simultaneously but independently with moderate force. Further up (~4300’), on a steeper slope, the newly loaded snow was softer and more sensitive. On the left side, a hand shear test failed ~6-8” down while isolating (i.e. while cutting with a ski pole). I repeated the same test closer to the center of the slope and had the same result. Concerned about the increased sensitivity with elevation, I backed off and skied down just below my high point. It is important to note that these observations/tests were all from the bottom third or so of the gully in somewhat sheltered terrain. Also important to note that winds were able to transport plenty of snow since picking up throughout yesterday and overnight.