Healy Pass

The Joy of Winter , Wednesday 8th January, 2025 11:15PM

Went into the Healy pass area Jan 7 and 8. Jan. 7 below Healy peak at 2300m elevation HS - 90cm. On south facing 25-deg slope had no results on CT. 1 thin firmer (1f+) layer 75cm from base, otherwise all fist density faceted sugary snow. Jan. 8 on western side of Monarch Ramparts at 2000m elevation HS - 105cm. On east facing 30-deg slope had no results on CT. Same thin firm layer roughly the same 75cm from base and otherwise all faceted. Wind effect overnight Tuesday and Wednesday morning was evident on Jan. 8. North facing slopes had definite wind slab, but other slopes were soft. Photos of SW side of Healy peak show the overhanging cornice on Jan. 7 and the resulting small slide sometime overnight or early morning, likely due to wind loading and the cornice breaking. Overall a fun couple days. Snow pack is still thin with plenty of exposed rock on steeper pitches.