Boot and scoot to Kashmir

First clear day, opted for a bit of a boot to scoot into Secret Valley and midship. Mild winds, no precipitation. Was pleasantly surprised to not see very much lee side natural avy activity. Zoom in on the photo and you can make out path definitions, the only natural we could see. E/SE aspect, 35+°. Natural activity seen on Dec 19, was fully obscured by wind transport and fresh. HST for 72 hours about 40cm, lots of wind transport to E/SE/NE... made to uproute setting fun. Our one run was boot deep in settled pow, in the sun... it’s a win!

Principal observation is point release in lee slope just below ridge line under pronounced cornices. Suspect storm slab and wind loaded deposit on reported Dec 13 crust. 2500, E, 40° Secondary observation (no photo) glide crack on. Rampart E shoulder @ 2300m, 35°, no propagation, may have slid on Dec or Nov crusts, visible rock at crown, predominate lee slope. Looks about 2m at crown, is consistent with other glides on SE Kashmir Ridge.

Did CTx2 at 2200m, W aspect, HS 210, 30° encouraging results so did not do ECT. Averaged results: CTM12@45, RP, soft slab/storm, 4 finger CTH26@85, SP, wind slab, light energy, 3 finger CTH32@125, SP, crust, 3mm hoar, pencil 125 and down consistent basal layer, dense sugar Shovel shear column had similar results. Overall...encouraged by test pit. 85 down of concern for propagation. Nice right side up profile where we were. Waiting a day to see more alpine affect under solar input. Calling tomorrow 3/3/2, moderate confidence, not enough input from alpine sources, potential tricky isolated loading, haven’t been BTL,