December 27

Bowman trail, Pole canyon, Cabin run, Middle bowl(Alexander basin), Wilson glade, Bonus bowl, Millcreek canyon.

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

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

Snow conditions

Settled storm total was around a foot, right side up.

Increased wind by mid day immediately started forming slabs on lee aspects.

Mid and lower elevations remained unaffected into late afternoon with heads up exceptions.

clues

Weather

Partlt cloudy in the am with increasing clouds after noon. Wind increasing with cloud cover, gusting to around 30 mph at upper elevation exposed locations.

Moderate temperatures.

Avalanche activity

wind-drift

Bailing off the shoulder of Gobblers Cabin run produced a sympathetic triggered soft slab.

Up to about 8" deep and 20' wide. Did not propagate nor did it run very far.

Middle bowl, northeast facing had released numerous cornices with accompanying shallow soft slabs, None ran into the bowl.

Cornice fall off the shoulder of Wilson glade ridge.

Evaluation

Increasing instability with increased wind drifting.

Would expect a lingering potential of active wind drifts in exposed upper elevations.

Weather guessers have decreased wind and warmer temperatures suggested so...

increased stability with a little patience.

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