Gully 2

The 12/15 storm continues to settle with improved bonding at the 12/10 rain crustwhich is the new/old interface below 3500' and above 3500' at the new/ old interface that consists of dry snow.  Hand shear test results are now hard.  Observed new surface hoar formation up to 1.5 cms below brushline.  This layer became smaller above brushline and disappeared by 3000'.

Conditions were calm in this area with no flagging present.  There is still minimal cohesion (not slabby) in the new snow, which has settled to 30-40 cms in depth.  Pit results @~3800' north aspect produced similar results and depth to what I found on Girls Mountain yesterday but scores were higher.  ECTN11 down 15cms (mid storm density change)  ECTN16 down 30 cms (new/old).  

The November wind damaged layer was down 100cms, was only 5cms thick and was pencil hard, with faceted snow beneath.  This layer has been shown to be losing strength in multiple locations moving from knife to pencil hard.  This will be something to watch as the snow load increases above it.

Skied slopes up to 35° without signs of instability with a short slope up to 40°.

Observed a D2 natural soft slab avalanche at the back of Gully 2 that originated from steep terrain. This avalanche occurred near the tail end of 12/15 storm or after, as the crown was still fresh. It could have been triggered by cornice fall as the ridgeline above had significant cornice development.