December 30
Area:
Lower Solitude parking out Beartrap
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
7500-10'200', angles approaching 35°, all aspects.
Avalanche activity:
Cornice kicking along the west Willow ridge
produced some good sized cornice falls, cracking well back on the ridge line but,
no avalanches. Visibility at the top of West Monitor was near zero so, natural activity was not observed. Would be very surprised if there was none.
Slopes skied:
Wills Hill, mid elevation into Beartrap and south facing Beartrap from the ridge overlooking Desolation lake, exiting Beartrap.
Snow conditions:
There was around 6-8" new snow at the trail head. Upper 2" was denser than snow below. That theme continued with elevation. In sheltered upper elevation terrain, up to about 18" was found late in the day with the upper denser snow amount increasing to 6".West facing was wind rowed, with one turn skidding on the old surface, the next plowing through a drift. South facing provided the most consistent snow, not as inverted, with a spongy base.
Weather:
Overcast, snow showers throughout the day. Moderate temperatures. Wind were cranking 20 mph+ with gusts over 40 mph at upper elevations. Those winds seemed to decrease somewhat in the afternoon.
Evaluation:
Wind fucked.
Hopin for decreasing wind, some lighter density snow and settlement by morning.
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