Quick report
Skinned up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail above Hermit Lake to the floor of the ravine. At about 4100 ft, we felt the wind on our face for the first time that morning. At the floor of the ravine we observed light winds with moderate gusts. Using skins, we climbed up below the rock buttress lookers right of Lobster Claw. Ski pen around 10-15cm. As we ascended, we observed that the new snow had no cohesion or wind affect, and could still see stellar dendrites on the surface. We observed a small (D1) point release/dry loose natural avalanche near the rocks below Sluice, but that was the only sign of instability we observed. About halfway up to our high point we switched from skis to boots, and observed relatively uniform boot penetration of about 30cm. We saw skiers descend Lobster Claw with little, if any sluffing. We chose to descend the way we climbed, minding the overhead hazard (Lobster Claw). With each turn, we hit the old snow surface below the new storm snow. Observed a small (D1) point release/dry loose natural avalanche underneath the rocks near Sluice.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 10-15F
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Recent Snowfall
- 14cm at Hermit Lake snow plot
Mostly cloudy skies, with minimal visibility near ridge lines. We observed higher altitude clouds moving along the Boott Spur ridge on winds from the west, but couldn't discern if snow was also being transported due to low visibility in the ravine. Light winds with moderate gusts.