December 12-13
Bowman trail
Yellow Jacket,
Alexander Basin,
Wilson Fork,
Millcreek
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200'-10k, angles over 35°, shady aspects.
Snow conditions
2-6" total snow at the trailhead increased to 20+" above about 8k.
Lower elevation meadows and areas near water have a little hoar frost developing.
Upper elevations had mostly settled powder with scattered wind board near the ridges.
Because of all the wind, there are areas with less than a foot of snow at the ridge.
A few collapses in the brushy areas.
Best to stay on north facing, west facing is a bushwhack.
Weather
Cool temperatures at lower elevations, warmer with ascent. Winds were light.
Avalanche activity
Silver Bell in main Porter
Middle bowl, Alexander Basin went wall to wall from cornice falls early in the last storm.
Snow pit
Pretty representative of the area traveled through. Crusts are stouter in some places, less so in others.
Evaluation
Good stability on all aspects at all elevations.
Concern wold be from lingering active wind drifting on lee aspects.
The other concern is terrain related. Best to find a track or trail early on the exit in Millcreek.
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