Quick report
Twinkling snow at wind sheltered spot on lower Hogsback near Crater Rock (fyi: good flat emergency bivy spot from westerly winds) implies faceting snow risk in sheltered spots prior to next snowfall. Spots of blue ice poking through early season base on couloir routes, but stable conditions on one more warm, calm bluebird afternoon. Upper Wy’east Route looks enticing (see pic). Catwalk sufficient and enjoyable, but airy. Glad I had my ice axe during my upper route “ski” and used it liberally to anchor my first 75’ of sidestep descent after assessing first ski cut feel into couloir….luckily given binding failure shortly thereafter which made for interesting and lengthy, but appreciative, exit.
Avalanche
Likely Rime/Rockfall initiated loose wet that grew to D1.5ish crossing upper traverse route from Hogsback to Old Chute prior to 12/5.