Two Ocean Mountain, Togwotee

Traveled up to 10k on Two Ocean Mountain. Ten inches of recent snow was becoming moist quickly with warm temperatures. Dug two pits:

• 10k, Northwest, Snow Depth 200 cm (78 inches) - ECTP24 propagated on top of a four-finger dense layer of facets about 27 inches (70 cm) down. Most likely, these facets formed during the last period of clear, dry weather that ended on 3/13. Since 3/13,  the Brooks weather station received approximately 40" of snow. Combined with 10" of settlement, this lines up with the depth of this failure. The snowpack was dry at this location to the depth that I dug.
• 10k, East Southeast, Snow Depth 245 cm (96 inches) - First test propagated on isolation of the ECT column down 75cm ( 30 inches) on 2mm facets above a very stout and thick (3cm) crust. The second column propagated on the 4th tap. I was not expecting these results (or such a stout crust) and thought maybe I had dug on a snowmobile track, but after three more holes spaced out within 50 yards, similar results were observed. This crust was most likley formed during the same time period mentioned above that ended on 3/13 when high temperatures on Togwotee above 40 F were observed for 4 days during the stretch of sunny high pressure. Moisture was observed in the top meter in this pit.

Not all aspects and elevations harbor the same crust/facet combination, so when in doubt, dig down and see what's beneath you. The good news is that this layer of concern is within the top meter and doesn't require too much digging. The bad news is that basal facets remain at the base of the snowpack that are being continuously loaded and stressed by the 30 inches of snow received in the last week. Keep that in mind on very steep and wind-loaded slopes, particularly on northerly aspects and think about the result and consequence of a very large avalanche that includes the entire season's snowpack.

No avalanches were observed on the drive (good visibility in the afternoon).

Two very small wind slab avalanches (~6" deep, D .5) on very steep terrain (40+ degrees on the upper east face of Two Ocean. Very isolated cracking in new, shallow wind slabs above 10k on the northeast ridge. Cracking was isolated to the ridge and did not extend more than a few feet from ski tips. I could get shallow slabs (4-6") to break but with very little propagation. Older, deeper wind slabs up to 16" were stubborn along the ridge beneath new snow and took significant jumping to release, and even then, minimal propagation.