I have to say I was quite surprised - no evidence of natural avalanche activity that I could see, on either 10,420' or Clayton Peak. Parts of the northeast face of 10,420' were tracked by skiers/borders without triggering slides. Snowmobilers had traveled under and part way up some of the steep, northeasterly facing sides of both peaks with no issues. This is the same aspect and elevation of the recent slide on Jim Klem.

Perhaps there were some slides that occurred during the first blast of snow on December 23rd, and the evidence is covered. An ECT on a north facing slope at 9,200' fractured, but did not prorogate across the column.

My bottom line: while the facet layers in the snowpack seems to be gaining strength, I still would avoid steep northerly through easterly facing slopes - the chance of triggering a slide is still too great, and if you do trigger a slide, it won't be any smaller.

Wind slabs (shallow, 1 Finger) seem to have settled out in this area, and I couldn't get any of them to crack or collapse. The winds while I was out weren't strong enough to transport any new snow.