Hector South Ridge

Made it to the summit of Hector S Ridge. Very thin snowpack in the alpine with significant wind affect - not very enjoyable skinning and on the fence for needing to put on ski crampons. Skied up to the ridge crest until the snow ended then booted on rocks and snow to the summit. Very large cornice formation on leeward side of ridge despite still being fairly early-season. Observed debris from a 1-2 day old size 1.5-2 natural slide off a remote south-facing steep feature east of Hector S Peak. Cross-loaded, likely wind slab, did not appear to step down to lower instabilities. Alpine skiing was rocky, hard and crappy. Treeline skiing was PHENOMENAL on silky buttery powder! Below treeline skiing was OK, needs a little bit more snow to fill in forest features. Minor cracking and wind slabs in the alpine noted as the only instabilities observed on the day.