Diamond Head, New Years Day

Skied up to Red Heather and along Paul Ridge to drop into some turns off the ridge line. Sun was strong and causing some melting on south facing slopes and features. 2cm fresh powder sitting on a 3-4 cm rain crust, sitting on about 30cm powder again made for difficult turns. Signs of small releases below trees and rocks on steeper SW slopes (two pics). No other avalanche activity observed. Road up to trailhead was icy from the melt/ freeze cycle. Parking lot was a janky skating rink. Don’t ski across it if you like your bases. We had ice tires and chains and had no problems making it up.