January 26, 27 ONP Hurricane Backcountry

Broke trail yesterday out from the VC and used it again today under bluebird sky's to access steeper terrain.  The 80 mph wind a couple of days that accompanied much of the snow has blown off just about everything with a south western exposure above 4500 feet.  Much of the Hill was scoured down to the ice layer from the last rain event creating shear ice, corduroy, white caps, breakable crust, wind pack, etc. I can't remember ever seeing so many varied textures. Cornices are huge along the crest.

Protected north bowls and treed zones were holding the powder pretty well and made for some predicably good turns.