Quick report
It was a beautiful day for a walk in the park. We observed variable surfaces during our travels, mainly wind-pressed snow, breakable sun crust, and well-settled powder. Although evidence of recent wind effect was easy to spot throughout the terrain, we did not observe any new wind slab avalanches or concerns.
On sun-exposed slopes, rollerballs and pinwheels were common, especially below trees and rocks where snow shed as the weak December sun did its work. Nothing large enough to call an actual avalanche was observed during our travels.
The skiing was marginal since most terrain contained a breakable crust, even on the dark side of the ridge.
Weather
Pleasant day with high clouds, sunshine, and little wind. The air temperature was noticeably on the rise throughout the day and with elevation.
Snowpack
The snowpack is generally rightside up and strong. There are some melt-freeze crusts interspersed in the upper snowpack, including the 12/24 and the 12/18. Snow between them is 1F and strong. Below the 12/18 is a well-settled and strong lower snowpack with a mix of rounds and frozen meltforms.
The 12/24 failed during small and large column tests but did not propagate across the block during an ECT. It may be worth watching into the future.
On slopes that typically receive direct sunshine, a surface crust is forming.