Quick report
We dug a pit and did ECTs at 4950, ENE aspect, just beyond the trees. We did not take the time to diagram a full snow profile, but did make the following observations. HS 195 cm. Soft (fist hardness) snow extended down about 35 cm from the surface. There was a subtle layer near this point that was likely facets. The top 10 cm of snow appeared to be recent storm snow from the past couple days. We dug all the way down to find the infamous crust complex almost exactly 100 cm below the surface. We isolated our column and got ECTN7 about 10 cm down. Continued the tapping sequence after that and broke again on the 13th tap (3rd from elbow), this time about 35 cm down and again without propagating across the whole column. We cleared the top of the column and did a deep tap test above the crust matrix and were suprised to get no result. We expected this would be reactive, but at least in this particular spot, not so much. We repeated these tests a second time and got similar results. Additionally, we dug several handpits on our way up: 2400 ENE - roughly 10 cm surface snow moved very easily, 30 cm broke with moderate force on a layer of facets 3400 NNE - 10 cm surface snow moved easily, 45 cm broke with heavy force 4500 E - 10 cm surface snow moved easily, 35 cm with easy-to-moderate force, again on facets Uptrack and kick turn tests were unremarkable. No whumphing or cracking observed. Recent storm snow sluffed a bit on surprisingly gentle slopes (30-35 degrees), although never in concerning amounts, when skiing down. Most of the day was overcast, although the sun did peek out briefly around 10:15. Trees immediately started dropping bombs when this happened. Temps a couple degrees below freezing at the trailhead. Totally unscientific as I did not have a thermometer, but it felt like it warmed slightly as we climbed, before entering a cooler layer and then remaining cool to where we topped out. Snowed about an inch while we were on the mountain, looking at my car when we got back. Minimal wind today. Evidence of some past wind transport although not particularly significant in most of the area we travelled. Regarding ski conditions: fantastic. Light, relatively low density snow up high. It did get thicker and heavier as we neared the bottom and today's new snow was a bit sticky.