Headed South along Seattle Ridge and down toward upper Seattle Creek drainage.
None. Many old and wide propagating crowns along with associated debris visible from the natural avalanche cycle during Christmas. Light was too poor for any photos to make these out. It was impressive to see how much of the Seattle Creek Drainage headwall and surrounding areas had avalanched; most steep slopes have slid and many mid-slope gullies.
No known avalanche activity today. Riders starting to get on steeper terrain without incident.
Broken skies and light snow falling every now and then. Breezy Westerly winds along Ridgeline. These were strong enough to create blizzard like conditions and move snow around on the ridge proper. Temps cooled off dramatically during the day from upper 20's to low teens...
Around 3" of light, new snow in the last 24 hours. This new snow was getting blown about easily on the ridge.
We found 20" total of settled snow from the Christmas storm on top of the old faceted surface from Mid December.
Pit results @ 2,800' West facing:
ECTP 18 Resistant Planar, 20 inches down on faceted grains just below the new Christmas snow. No other results in the top 110 cm. Total depth 190cm. There was a small harness change between the slab and weak layer (1 finger slab and 1 finger minus in the faceted weak layer).
Bottom line: 2-3' deep slabs possible but getting harder to trigger.
Christmas snow is slowly stabilizing in the upper Seattle Creek Drainage.
Again, many riders taking advantage of the good snow in low angle terrain away from the steep committing terrain as the snowpack adjusts.
Thanks to Alaska Mining and Diving Supply and Ski Doo / BRP for granting the CNFAIC with this 2017 Ski Doo 850 Summit 'loaner sled' for the 2016/17 winter season!!