South of the Pass

Quick trip south of the pass to check avalanche conditions after last night's pulse of snow, wind, and warm temps. We observed unstable conditions on slopes that are holding old snow from November. In these areas, we triggered many collapses and shooting cracks while skinning. We noticed a sizable avalanche in Christmas Tree Bowl that appeared to have happened sometime this morning. Difficult to tell if it was human triggered or natural. More information will likely trickle in later this afternoon. We also observed two small avalanches in Avalanche Bowl and the Wolf Trap that appeared to have run sometime yesterday afternoon/night (12/5).

Quick pit near avalanche bowl. 9,000’ NE. 30-40cm of upside down storm snow (4F- to F+) on ~5cm of 2mm fist hard facets sitting above a stout crust. Stability tests confirm low strength and potential for propagation (ECTP 12 down 40cm). This interface likely produced the nearby avalanches.