Quick report
Honestly, I had hoped to go higher today, but sticky snow and a long, flat approach slowed me down. My goal was primarily to go and see if I could replicate some test results from nearby that showed propagation propensity on the New Year's rain crust. I was not successful.
The warm temperatures and mostly cloudy skies were taking their toll on the snow, regardless of aspect. This "greenhouse effect" when incoming radiation is trapped close to the surface by a ceiling of clouds left the snow wet and sticky. I did not get on any slopes steep enough to move snow around, but I suspect that if you did, you could push some loose, wet snow downhill.
Surfaces were the standard mix that we've become accustomed to as of late, and coverage is still adequate for skinning and skiing to the car without too much hassle.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 40
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Recent Snowfall
- None
Mostly cloudy, calm and warm.
Snowpack
HS: @7100 - 30 to 40cm
@8800 - 90 to 100cm
I dug at 8800ft on a NW aspect and tried to target facets on top of the 1/1 rain crust. I was able to identify a 2cm layer of facets on top of the crust, but was unable to produce any results in two adjacent ECTs (ECTX x2). In fact, when my tests were complete, I pulled in shear on the columns with my shovel, and broke both in one singular column at the ground.