Cabin Creek obs

We rode under the full length of Skyline ridge under all the south facing slide paths. 

The only avalanches we spotted were from 1-2 weeks ago. No cracking or collapsing observed.

Snowpack

• Depths ranged from about 1m to 1.5 m. The snow really got shallow as we rode west and down the cabin creek drainage. Above 8800ft and closer to the Teepee/Cabin divide, coverage was great.
• The layer of facets from early December is much weaker where the snow is less than 1 m deep and gaining strength where the snow is around 1.5m deep. 
• Conditions didn't seem dangerous. Remotely triggering a slide seems very unlikely. The odds of triggering a slide on those facets seems pretty low but still something that could happen. 
• What mainly felt dangerous is letting your guard down. With tracks everywhere, sunshine, great traction, and supportable snow, we felt that it would be easy to be complacent. If an avalanche happened, then we'd be unprepared.
• The odds of triggering a persistent slab avalanche will continue to step down unless there is another loading event (ie - more wind and snow).

Moving foward

• The danger and avalanche conditions will be dependent on weather. A small amount of snow and very cold weather is expected in the next 5 or so days
• Wind could still form more wind slabs
• The inch or two or three of snow that could come Fri/Sat will be subjected to bitter cold weather and could create a new faceted layer...time will tell
• Continue to maintain safe travel practices: exposing only one person at a time to avalanche terrain, having everyone else watch from a safe location, ensuring everyone has rescue gear and knows how to use it.

Overall impression - The snowpack in this area probably isn't as stable or strong as it is in the Northern Madison Range closer to Big Sky. The snowpack is probably stronger and more stable than on Lionhead.