Slab. No slab.

Today we went into the Flathead Range to assess storm slabs and look at avalanches from 12/22.

• Trace of new snow overnight with a total of roughly 4 inches on top of 12/22 crust at low elevations.
• We quickly took note of pine needs and windblown snow at low elevations as clues of wind slabs higher up. 
• As we gained elevation, new and recent snow varied from 4 to 10 inches. Depths varied due to wind transport. 
• New snow was inverted and slabby feeling. 
• Wind slabs were up to 18 inches thick. I tested these with ski cuts and test pits. Both tests revealed stubborn to unreactive results. 
• The 12/22 crust was supportable and up to two inches thick at our high point of 5700 ft. 

Today we felt comfortable skiing steep terrain one at a time at middle elevations.