Quick report
It feels weird to post observations so soon after the tragic avy incident last week... but I suspect like many folks here one of the main reasons I travel in the backcountry is to clear my mind and get some perspective. Deepest condolences to all who were touched by those involved. Here's a quick report from Friday out at Broken Top, before the rain arrived. Thurs was the first warm day after the storm cycle, and the sun was out a bit; we saw remnants of tiny rollers on most faces from the previous day's sun, but nothing major. No signs of instability during the tour. We toured up the lookers left side of the crater towards Pucker. Snow felt like mostly a few inches of hot pow on a supportive (but not crusty) base. Skinning up the ridge was a mix of rime and windblown snow as usual. Pretty decent wind and surprisingly cool temps on the ridge kept the snow from getting too hot. Dropping into Pucker around 1:45 PM it rode pretty well, like hot pow on a spring day. No instabilities noted and some but not too much wet loose sluffing. Snow on the way back out was getting suuuuper sticky though. Attached are some pics to give an idea of coverage (which is great).