Gulf of Slides-Southern Snowfields

Wanted to gather observations in Gulf of Slides to check for the distribution and sensitivity of wind slab in eastern aspects. Found the snowpack to be very stable, in line with recent observations in other terrain as well the forecast. The wind deposited depth was variable from 2 inches to 1 foot. 

Found variable snow conditions in the Southern Snowfields in Gulf of Slides. Snow was softest in the most sheltered areas. Found a thin 1F wind slab (2 inches) on more open terrain that was on a pencil (P) hard surface. Found isolated cracking under skis skinning and during some kick-turns, but this was noted as a small surface instability and no evidence of propagation was found. This was also only found in isolated areas, and was avoidable by looking to travel on wind affected snow. The wind affected snow had a firm appearance, however it was softer than it appeared to be at 4F+.

Snow depth was variable, in some areas it was scoured to a firm surface, in others it ranged from 2 inches to 1 foot in depth. In isolated areas there was a thin surface glaze of ice, this was found in solar exposed areas that were higher up in the Snowfields. Solar warming was observed, but the snowpack did not seem heavily affected by the sun as the surface snow was not very moist or mushy.