Quick report
Led an AIARE 2 class into Hillman's Highway with the intent to boot to the top of the christmas tree and descend from there. We demonstrated hand shears as a tool to evaluate wind slab and upper snowpack instability, and performed several shears between 4200 and 4460ft of elevation. Below 4400ft the upper snowpack was well-bonded and required significant force to release or our hands dragged through the snow. At 4460ft however, with only moderate force shears popped off the underlying crust at approx 30cm down, and with a very clean shear (see photo). Additionally, at this point in the day (4pm), winds were increasing and we could see snow actively transporting below the split and above the christmas tree. In response to these observed datapoints the class transitioned and descended from there. Our observations appeared to align well with the forecast of Moderate danger at mid-elevations. Skies were clearing through the afternoon with the undercast at 3400-3800ft breaking up later in the day. By 4pm skies were clear other than a thin high overcast.