Quick report
Very few signs of avalanche problems. No fees slides or crowns observed (though visibility was limited most of the day). Small to medium cornices mostly on south-facing ridges above 6,000. Easily avoided. No signs of instability. Below 6,000 feet, most pole plants hit dirt or rock below the thin, soft snowpack.
Weather
- Air Temp
- -10
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- 15-30 cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Cold with light snowfall scattered throughout day, skies clearing up high in late afternoon.
Snowpack
Less snowpack than expected. The recent storms left about 6 inches of unconsolidated powder down low, 12 up high. One unexpected problem was the lack of base below that fresh powder, so any amount of edging or turning means scraping rocks or roots — this actually made for a pretty dangerous descent despite sticking to our ascent route on the switchback trail. Basically November skiing but 50 degrees colder.