Lilly Traverse (Lilly - Dome)

20 cm trail breaking at lower elevations increased to 30-40 cm at treeline. The snow was surprisingly light and dry. Wind effect, new and burried, was noticed on the Lilly Glacier and on The Cleaver. The new windslabs were localized, soft, 4F to 1F, and 5-10 cm thick. The old windslabs were widespread, P hard, burried under 30 cm of new snow and varied from 5 to over 30 cm thick. The thickest burried windslab was found at the top of the Dome Roll which was inspected on belay but not skied. The ramp down from the Cleaver to Dome Glacier skied very well and so did all the glacier and moraines to treeline with 30-40 cm ski penetration. The Dome Headwall to valley bottom was amazing with 40-50 cm of ski penetration. Some people were going very big on the pillows! Three recent natural avalanches, SZ 1.5 to 2.5, were noticed, see avalanche tab. All in all, an excellent day out. Of note, a group of four skiers with no glacier gear in sight and small packs followed our skin track all the way to just below Dome Col.