Quick report
Small dry loose avalanches initiated by riders were noted in terrain approaching 40 degrees on north facing slopes where there is exceptionally low surface cohesion. These small sluffs composed of faceted snow would not travel far and arrested as soon as the slope angle backed off.
The lower elevation exits of Scottie's were very willowy and the supportable rain crust with a few inches of medium density snow made the return to the TH quite sporty
Photos:
1. Upper White Pine Drainage- low tide and lots of tracks.
2. Dry loose on 9800' north facing No Name Bowl (White Pine)
3. Scottie's Bowl- many tracks but no loose dry avalanches due to slightly lower slope angles.
Surface conditions are reasonably enjoyable in this zone for now, but the price to enter (and exit) is rather high.
Please snow.
Snowpack
The Gad Valley/White Pine ridge between 10,100' and 9;500' held a surprising amount of cold snow on West, North, and East aspects that had not been damaged by the wind. Upper White Pine drainage, including the Birthday Chutes, Lake Peak, and Red Baldy seemed to have received the brunt of the impacts from the post-Christmas northerlies.
There is a notable rain crust 2-3" down below 8500' that is still supportable.