January 2, 2011, Diamond Head Diamond Dust

Took my first non-slowshoe trip to Diamond head today.  Started at the Tronsen Meadow pullout (permit free!) and ascended the drainage on the east side of the peak.  Mostly followed the blue XC ski trail markers without event.  Ascended the notch on the east side of Diamond Head East and then traversed back to Diamond Head proper.  Topped out around 5800 ft for lunch on the south facing aspect of the low angle slopes.  After listening to the snowmobile serenade we skied the meadows down to the road below.  Traversed back north to hit a couple clearings/runs that looked more interesting.  Skied both a small clearing (no tracks before us) as well as the big run on the NE face (tracks, but not tracked out).  Snow quality was AMAZING.  Boot top powder on both east and NE runs.  Coupled with no wind and blue skies it made for a great day.  Skied out throw Tronsen Meadows.

No stability issues to note.  The notch down and east of DH East has lots of wind loaded spots as expected.  The NW facing slope on DH East is pretty wind scoured but closer to the trees the snow looked decent from across the drainage.  On DH, the south facing slope was okay, but heavily tracked out by snomos.  Stick to the east aspects they were super good.

Here's some pics.  Will post more later.