Toured Porter Fork every day since Thanksgiving.

Basic set up of the snowpack is horrifying though getting less so by the day. October snow is every where on the north half of the compass above about 8500 feet underlying a snowpack close to 4 feet deep. The pack is settling, compacting and strengthening. But still, columns continue to fail under the mid-November melt/freeze crust on top of the October snow.

People are hitting steep lines, such as the In Between avalanche path in upper Porter Fork and not triggering slides. My guess is In Between slid during the Thanksgiving storm cycle but I’m just not ready to have a look. The entrance to the run is due north at 9000 feet in West Porter under steep 45 degree terrain. People are going under this stuff but I personally just can’t do it.

In terms of skiing, its loud, loud powder. Can’t believe how quickly the pack faceted. Photo is 8800 feet in West Porter north east. I was at this spot around 1pm Monday 12/9 and it was kind of dense and graupelly. 22 hours later at 10 am Tuesday quarter inch flakes had developed. Super fun turning, bodes poorly for future stability.

Tour today, Tuesday 12/10 was up West Porter into the Thaynes avalanche path where I set up a lap track. The Thaynes path averages less than 30 degrees but the start zone is above 30 degrees, though anchored by pines. Then off the lower Thaynes ridge on an east/south east aspect back into West Porter. Then up to West Porter pass with home run in the Main Porter trees north east facing. Facets were everywhere though less pronounced in the sun exposed southerly terrain.

I’m calling the danger today considerable on steep northerly slopes with underlying October snow. My feeling is the danger is more like scary moderate. Looking at what people are getting away with it does not seem avalanches are likely. That said I am personally continuing to close terrain that is steep northerly with the Thanksgiving slab on top of the October snow.

Forecast of considerable for tomorrow is based on my continuing unwillingness to provoke the high steep north.