We saw several avalanches today from the new years eve cycle that ran on the facets at the ground. This was a very impressive cycle. The slides observed today face NW through NE. Most (not all) were in very steep rocky terrain. All starting zones showed evidence of significant wind loading. The bottom line is that it took a combination of all the snow that fell, plus additional wind loading to push the depth hoar past its breaking point resulting deep, devastating avalanches. With that loading event three days behind us, I agree that we are entering a period of stabilization. Natural avalanches are unlikely, and human triggering is still possible. Signs of instability will not be obvious right now. We traveled mainly on slopes facing N and E and did not get any cracking or collapsing. We kept our slope angles low, and/or stuck to dense trees.

Moderate winds from the south were transporting snow onto northerly aspects. Winds are forecast to remain in the 15-30 mph range (enough to move snow) and shift to the West tomorrow.