Observation Date: 12/05/2014

Route/Location:
Touring around the south Gash Point bowls. N and E aspects.

Weather:
Very light rain up to 6500′ and snow flurries higher. Overcast and no wind other than a slight westerly breeze on the highest ridge tops. Freezing point today must have been at least ~7000′

Wind:
Cornices were around from the last wind events but it was clear that there has been very little wind impact in the last 24 hours.

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
The storm snow form this week has consolidated to a wet 4-6″. On lower elevations we even managed small wet sluff slides. As for the facets, my main concern… it is apparent that the facets we were worried earlier in the season are gaining strength. Our pit at 8500′ on a NE aspect showed a deep (200cm) snowpack with good structure. The facets are still there although did not fail on our ECT test and have not grown in size. Not ready to fully trust the snowpack just yet, as our pit was on a slope with high wind loading tendencies, hence a deeper snowpack.

Other Comments:
Gash point is skiing well with a supportable base in the bowls. The approach and exit went smooth as we skied all the way to the upper trailhead. I would recommend parking at the lower trailhead, the road to the upper is not passable for the last two miles due to deep snow drifts.

Observer: Blake Votilla