January 17, 1/2 way up Lundin Couloir

Hot, Inversion Hot, like 52 degrees hot.  Grabbed Don Hecker, and got right back out in the commonwealth valley.  As we passed Red Mt. we could see a group post holing their way up Red, following my track from yesterday.  We continued up towards our objective, the Lundin Couloir.   It was still looking very smooth, but the warm temperatures made us a little uneasy.  I could stuff my ski pole, grip side down, all the way into the snowpack.  This being an avalanche chute, hmm.   Skinning was actually pretty good and we saw little indication of current slide activity.   There was a little debri, most likely left over from the rain event.   We most likely could have made the top, but with the warm temps, and sore legs from yesterday, decided to call it near tree line at 5,400'.   Skiing was a little variable and quite crunchy through the lower woods.  Still a beautiful day, and will have to get back again.  Hopefully after we get a good freeze to lock down the snowpack.   The Red Mt. group did look to have skied down without setting off any slides.