Mill Point

We observed generally good stability today with only minimal signs of instability except some stubborn cracking in a small cornice. It is likely that there are still some stubborn wind slabs in isolated pockets at upper elevations. 

We dug two pits, one on a northeast aspect at 7500 ft and another on a southeast aspect at 8000 ft. Both pits showed good stability with no propagation in stability tests. The northeast pit was right side up with no crusts present and had a total snow depth of 165 cm (65"). There were no failures in an extended column test (ECTX). The southeast pit had several crusts throughout and a total snow depth of 140 cm (55"). Stability tests produced non propagating results on a crust facet combo buried 40 cm (16") deep. The snow depths in the pits were noticeably shallower than in other areas of the Central Bitterroot. The Mill Point area appears to have a thinner snowpack. 

Below around 5000 ft, the snowpack is very thin and difficult to descend on skis. 

We observed surface hoar at the snow surface in protected areas at middle and upper elevations.