Quick report
Day was sunnier and calmer than expected with high level clouds slightly filtering sun, at least as noticed later in the day. Last night’s light snow somewhat filled in various tracks while still allowing for efficient travel by both ski/skin and boot/crampon. Had planned to explore north-facing terrain off Rose or Church until noticed pleasant-looking, evenly distributed coverage in a rockily aesthetic south-ish facing couloir (with a seemingly rare easy creek crossing at 8350’). Climbed couloir until about 9.3K’ when I took a left fork and found myself on the adjacent rib with good quality snow (except for last 50-75’ due to small but firm penitente-like formations) for both climbing to 10.1K’ melt-out and then skiing a quick 500’ lap (line seemed sheltered surrounded by trees but itself was canopy free). There was some boot penetration but only a couple inches. Ski of couloir itself was almost too late due to low sun angle shading but was mostly quality by sticking to still sunny or recently sunny lines. Found both boot (up couloir and adjacent rib) and ski (post couloir, after dusk/shading when ascending steep terrain 9K’ toward pass) very helpful today. Sawi