Quick report
We skinned up the Alpental Valley to Source Lake. Proceeded up Big Trees to a bump at 4500’ below Bryant Peak. Uphill travel was ok with the old storm snow smoothing things out. Snow on the shaded aspects we skied had a thin breakable thermal crust making it pretty smooth but tough skiing. Snow in hand pits sheared easily on a grauple layer at about 12 inches depth. Then sheared easily again on the SH at 2.5-3 feet depth. Same results at 3500’ S aspect and 4000’ N aspect. Only avalanche activity notes was roller balls on solar slopes, but no true wet loose activity. Temps in the shade at 4500’ still felt cold despite forecasted high freezing level and snow remained cold and wintery.