Quick report
Toured to Hermit Lake with the objective of poking into Tuckerman Ravine to assess the current snowpack setup and determine if anything could be skied safely. We arrived at Hermit Lake at approximately 0830. We found strong winds, moderate snowfall, extensive snow transport, and very large snow drifts on the TRT above Hermit Lake. At about 50 yards beyond Connection Cache we re-evaluated our plans due to a) strong winds and poor visibility and b) the assumption that the severity of snow transport and loading would lead to high likelihood of natural avalanche activity in the Ravine. We were not interested in being in any runout zones. Our observations lined up with the hazard rating of Considerable. We skied back to Hermit Lake and headed into the trees for sheltered powder lines out of avalanche terrain and had a wonderful and safe ski for the rest of the morning.
Avalanche
Multiple natural small (D1) dry loose avalanches on a sheltered east aspect slope in the trees above Harvard Cabin. They occurred recently, likely in the early morning hours, and were in the upper layers of the fresh storm snow. They appeared to have been triggered by snow falling off the icefalls above. No one was caught.