November 19

Bowman trail to Pole canyon, ascent to the ridge, descent.

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

6200-10400', angles over 35°, north and west facing aspects.

Snow conditions

There was an inch or two at the trailhead in the shade, increasing to an optimistic 16" in wind protected areas of the Cabin run.

Upper elevation had wind effect, scouring and drifting, with scattered crusts 4" thick(a little punchy).

Riming in the trees along the ridge, minimized by continual wind.

riming

Dense, creamy snow at upper elevation, lower elevation was melting. Muddy on the lower trail in the pm.

Skiing for turns potential is isolated.

Weather

Overcast sky, mild temperatures, wind from the west, gusting over 20 mph along the ridge.

Snow pit

cabin-run

Evaluation

No indication of instability. Some work required to produce cracking in patchy wind crusts near the ridge.

No collapsing.

Future stability dependent on new snow amount, bonding of old to new and wind.

Fingers crossed for the Thanksgiving storm.

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