First time in First Creek!

We braved a long sled ride at -17°C with the knowledge that there was a temperature inversion in our future. Once we got to our transition spot it was a balmy -6°C great temperature for walking uphill! The First Creek area has a very thin snowpack. While we gained elevation we wondered if it would be safe to ski with shallow rock and stumps throughout the area. Luckily we found a sheltered area where the snowpack deepened to 1 m and had a consolidated mid-pack. There was no new avalanche activity in the area, no signs of instability, and no test results. The cold temperatures and absolute lack of wind for several days have kept the snow soft. There wasn’t enough low-density snow in this area to be worried about dry loose today. With snow available for transport, new snow, and increased wind, the avalanche hazard will likely increase in this area in the next few days.