Loern (in photo) and I headed up Bullion Basin from Crystal on Saturday morning after 5' of snow had fallen since the previous weekend. Although the avalanche forecast called for moderate danger - surprising with so much new snow - we were on high alert. The snowpack proved ideal - "right side up", or less dense snow on top of layers with increasing density. We broke trail part of the way then picked up a track to the top of the peak that's looker's left of Bullion Basin. Up to 6400' and then back down for some incredible powder skiing on this SW facing slope. The wind was blowing from the SW so definitely the right slope to be on. Nothing moving and a 5' pit showed little instability - a hoar layer about 12" down was the only thing moving with a few taps of the shovel on top of the column.
Varied weather all day with sunbreaks, wind, clouds and snow. 3 laps did us in and we were back at the car at 4 - toasting the Racer 5's to another safe and productive day.
