Quick report
Skinned up to Source Lake, then up through 'Big Trees' on a well established skin track. At 4,400 at the north terminus of Great Scott's Bowl, we dug a now pit on a NW facing knoll with signs of wind blow snow. Pit was 150 CM deep. Hardness test showed Fist (0 to 15 CM), 4F (15 to 45 CM), 1F (45 CM to 120 CM). Although there was not the distinct hard rain crust of the deeper layers; between F, 4F, and 1F layers there was a very thin crust. Presumably the interface between the various storm events this week, and the inter-storm rain event on Monday night. Snow crystals at 120 CM crust observed through loop, and facet (angular blocks) features observed. 15 CM to 120 CM layers show snow crystals rounding. Visible to naked eye, and confirmed through loop. We performed a compression test 1st result was CTM12 Q2/Q3 at 15 CM. 2nd result was CTM19/H20 Q2/Q3 at 45 CM. Both results were very rough fractures. Used shovel blade to pop them loose. Given the result we intended to perform ECT to check for propagation, but given the poor shear quality and we were short on time and getting very cold - we elected not to. Skied down through No Fog Bowl. No cracks, whoomping, or other signs of instability observed in trees or open areas in No Fog. Made a return trip later in the afternoon. Winds picked up and spin drift/wind blown snow was being transported on the open faces below Tooth/Bryant Peak massif. I.E. the typical uptrack for Bryant Peak Couloir.