December 21

Bowman trail, Yellow Jacket, Middle Bowl(Alexander Basin), Millcreek road

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

6400'-10k, angles over 35°, north, east and west facing aspects.

Snow conditions

There was an inch or so of new snow overlying a variable old surface.

Off aspects had a thin sun crust, wind had scoured windward and drifted exposed lee aspects, even at mid elevations.

cornice

Cornices were quite large along the Alexander Basin ridge line.

Skiing was variable, best in very sheltered terrain.

Lower elevation exit was a coupla inches over a firm rain impacted old surface.

Weather

Foggy at lower and mis elevations, overcast skies higher. Moderate temperatures with little wind.

Avalanche activity

There was extensive evidence of one, possibly, two slide cycles in the middle bowl of Alexander Basin.

Debris was piled up mid slope with a good bed surface under 4-8" recent snow.

Cornice falls were the trigger.

Evaluation

Good stability in terrain traveled with bed surface skiing.

Lingering potential of active wind drifts in terrain which did not slide during the windy period.

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