Divide Cirque Obvs

Skied Divide Peak this morning. Snowfall totals in the main fork were around 3", while the Shower falls area experienced 6-8". Inconsistent snow depths within divide cirque highlight heavy snow transport yesterday and overnight. Varying levels of sun crust below the most recent snow were widespread.

One hand shear on a solar ESE aspect demonstrated cohesiveness, which seemed to be due to moist snow, on a thick crust. Sheer quality created a pretty smooth bed surface.

Today's tour provided many views of undulating wind effect- cornices on west-east ridges formed on south and north sides. Plenty of large cornices were present and could be quite destructive.

Spotted two fresh natural slides, one within Divide cirque on a NE aspect @ ~9,800 (D1, R1), and another on the N face of Hyalite @ ~10,200ft. that was mostly out of view, but could be estimated around similar size and destructiveness. These seem to have occurred within the last 24 hours, or after snowfall, likely windslabs on lee slopes.

We skied east of the central divide gully, avoiding wind issues to the west and solar issues to the east.