Surprise

Wind-pressed and soft surfaces at most elevations made for excellent skiing. Exposed leeward slopes along ridges at 9500 were getting heavily wind loaded, and drifts were quite stiff/stubborn, but no cracking where I travelled. Loading was further down on the leeward slopes than I expected. 

Cleared the interval board: 33 inches, 4.5 inches SWE, last cleared on 12/24. Total snow height: 96 inches

Dug at 8900 feet on a northeast aspect, HS 215cm. This elevation is towards the top of the elevation band where the Boxing Day crust has been observed. Indeed, it was found here, down 31 inches (80cm). I did not observe any facets above the crust as some have noted in other observations in the Tetons. It's quite possible that there were some rounding facets that I missed, but they were not obvious with the loupe I had. No propagation in this layer, and the ECTN noted below fractured about an inch above the crust.

ECTN7 down 12" (25 cm) in recent snow,

ECTN12 down  14" (35 cm) in a 2 cm layer of graupel. Maybe a concern with loading in the next 24 hrs?

ECTN25 down 31" (80 cm) above the 12/26 crust.

I only dug to 27" (70 cm) above the ground, roughly where the 12/10 crust is buried.

 

No signs of instability but moderate to intense wind loading above 9500 feet.