Travel today was West and South Monitor, Wills Hill, West Willow Ridgeline, Bear Trap, with the exit out the West Desolation Ridgeline into Mill D. Wanted to cover some ground today to get a good overall look at the snow pack in areas traveled. South Monitor still contained soft settled powder, non wind affected, West Monitor with a little more North in it had wind affected snow in the upper part of the bowl. Also noted that it must have rimed last night, rime was noted in the trees but not on the surface of the snow. Pics riming in Willow Hieghts, Cornice drop in West Monitor. Also a pic of drooping cornices in West Monitor, might want to watch out for them if it warms up this weekend.

Traveling across the West Willow Ridgeline to the East facing shot at the end of the drainage noticed some new cornices formed from yesterdays wind, they would crack out easily and trigger small wind slabs when they hit the slope, not packing a punch or running far. Upon reaching the West Desolation Ridgeline decided to dig a hand pit on a steep north facing slope, not too stoked on the structure, shallow snow pack with some facet crust sandwiches, not enough of a load or a slab on top to be a problem right now, but I wouldn't trust it if it did receive a substantial load. Pics cracking in the soft new wind drifts on the West Willow Ridgeline from yesterdays wind. Lowering cloud deck.