Quick report
I went for a terrifically long walk yesterday, back Big creek to the top of Old Stormy. The weather was outstanding with cool temps, some clouds and more sun than I was expecting, with some snow squalls blowing through later in the day. I didn't dig at all, as I was just out on a mellow cruise, but I still did not note any instabilities throughout the day. There was a good foot/foot and a half of new snow to break through above the lake. Once I climbed above the lake I was able to get eyes on most aspects and elevations, and I did not note much of anything happening on the snow surfaces in the neighborhood, just a few small dry loose slides in the steepest of terrain. It seems like the Bitterroots are adjusting well to all of the new snow. It is looking more like mid to late winter (dare I say early spring?!) up high; there were a couple of glide cracks opening up in steeper N facing terrain above the lake, ridge line cornices are getting chubby, and terrain features are filling in. I was able to drive to the TH, and I could just barely ski to and fro the car.