Alpine Scramble - Cowboy Mountain

From the resort, our group of 6 scramblers had gone up Hogsback Express and were about to head SW up to the top of 7th heaven when we heard and then a couple of us saw the avalanches through the fog. We were carrying (but not yet using) crampons and microspikes, and were Just starting to use our ice axes to walk in balance while kickstepping, before we turned around at about 5450'. We were not carrying avalanche rescue gear, most of the group were not practiced or trained in avalanche rescue and this was an aspect of our decision to turn around. The glissade and plunge stepping down was a good time. 4/5 of us participants were seattle scramble students and this was our first snow scramble. We chose to not carry snowshoes, which seemed just fine for below 5450', but cant report on above 5450 if the snow may have warranted them. We had hoped to make a loop of it, going to big chief second, but will save that for another time!