Observation: Primrose Cirque

Snowpit was representative of a wind-loaded gully feature. The snow on the surface was wind-affected and soft. The underlying faceted layer near the ground was moist and showing rounded edges in this location.

The snow was variable and mixed with brush and summer surface up until 8,700' on north-east facing slopes.  Southerly facing slopes had no snow up to 11,000' in elevation.  The snow in the shade and out of the wind was 3"-4" deep, spotty and made up of facets, crusts, and surface hoar.  No real snow to speak of until 8,700'.   Through the afternoon the snow that was below 8,700' became very wet and was melting quickly anywhere but the most protected northerly facing slopes.  Around 2:00PM I started to notice icicles falling off the waterfalls lower in the Cirque. 

Below photo north facing Elk Point showing thin snow coverage 

Photo of east facing Primrose Cirque with flagging from south/southwest winds in the background. 

Snow coverage