Weather
By late morning, light snowfall (S1) with a few moderate periods (S2). Winds increased this afternoon, and we could see intense snow transport occurring in more exposed terrain. On Snodgrass, we didn't encounter any drifting until we descended to more open slopes near valley floor. cloud cover: overcast; wind loading: intense; rain elevation (ft): Below valley floor; recent snowfall (cm): 25 to 30; snow avail for transport: large amounts
Snowpack
The top 6" or so was top-heavy over low-density stellars, producing minor surface cracking. On NE aspects, fist-hard slabs were cracking and breaking about 12" to 18" deep on well-developed basal facets (up to 2mm, F hard, 11/30 layer). . There was minor cracking in the storm snow about 6" deep, with cracks about 1' to 3'. Once we started traveling on a northeast aspect which held old snow near the ground, shooting cracks and collapses were widespread, about 18" deep on the 11/30 facet layer (just above the ground here). The snowpack was quiet on SE to E facing slopes BTL except for localized cracking in fresh drifts from downvalley winds.