Quick report
Headed up Big Saint Joe's via the SE Bowls today, approaching via Bass Creek. Got an early start and found between 4 and 10" of snow on the approach up Bass Creek. When we began climbing into the SE Bowl (~6,400') we found a 4" thick breakable crust covered by roughly 2" of fresh light powder, which made travel conditions difficult till we got into the bowl proper. The bowl was in great shape, with minimal wind affect and 6-10" of light powder on a solid 4" ice layer, but this seemed well bonded. Were cautious of windloading as we climbed up to the S Ridge of the summit but found no signs of instability during hand pits or travel. The upper mountain was pretty wind blasted but we skied off the summit. It was warmer and sunnier than we'd expected all day, though light clouds and a light SE wind kept the powder from getting too warm and sloppy. Overall a great day out and other than some light dry loose sluffs on steper slopes, everything felt pretty solid (other than the questionable cornices).
Avalanche
From our up track, saw debris from what appeared to have been a cornice failure and subsequent slab avalanche on the northern slopes NW of Bitterroot Peak 8524'. Pic included below. Also saw dry loose sluffs from east facing cornices on the south ridge off Big St Joe's, presumably from small cornice shedding. None triggered anything of note.