Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
The lower road from the East Shore road was brutal yesterday down below 3500'. The previous snow melted in the rain and warmth, only to freeze like a frozen river. The lowest portions had melted by days end, but lots of ice still, for those driving your sleds to the snow line. I'd recommend chains or wait a day or two. Evidence of the warm-up were day old roller balls on the steeper road bank. Disappointed as I stepped out of my rig at 5300' only to find a 1cm crust on the surface over the 7-8" from the previous day/night. The crust seemed to soften around 5700'. Above that level the snow was wind affected and had what seemed like a frozen fog crust on the surface all the way to 6700' at the ridge. It was less annoying up high, but definitely there. The weather was foggy with a light wind. Dug a quick pit at ~6500' on a W slope that is susceptible to wind. Results: 65" Total snow pack. I only dug to the super hard and thick crust about 26" deep. The surface had a crust (frozen fog?), with 5" of 4F snow underneath. CT3 @ 5", CT 15 @11" and CT 22 at 26" on the thick crust. Consolidation and faceting was happening between the ice layers. Not very inspiring snow, but I skied a NW line and a W facing line that usually is sheltered. Not today. Wind and crusts abound. I didn't have time to check a pure North face but it would have the best snow. Frozen fog is a thing in the Selkirks occasionally and that is my best guess as to what happened to much of the surface along with some wind stiffening in exposed areas.