The Throne

We dug 3 pits on our way up the northeast side of the Throne (NE @ 7,850', E @ 8,100', N @ 8,300'), and another group dug one nearby (E, 7,900'). All had ECTNs within the new snow and at the bottom of the new snow on top of a melt-freezse crust.

There were weak, soft, sugary facets below the crust under the new snow on most slopes. The north facing slope did not have the crust. The middle and lower snowpack is a mix of facets and crusts, generally unsupportable and weak.

There were 10-12" of new snow. We measured 1.5" of snow water equivalent in the new snow (possibly on a slightly wind-loaded slope).

The new snow would easily crack and slide on the crust below when isolated between ski tracks (photo), but otherwise there was minimal cracking.

Winds were calm to light, and increased in the afternoon with moderate gusts and snow being transported off the ridge.

Low elevation, south facing slopes had a sun crust on our way out, middle to upper east facing slopes stayed dry. (Middle elevation south may have developed a sun crust, but clouds may have prevented it.)

We saw two slab avalanches that probably broke during the storm late yesterday. These were in the steep cliffs off the main ridge, and I would guess broke on facets below the new snow. There were a couple fresher, loose-snow/storm slabs that ran early today. All were naturals.