Quick report
From the car we could see an obvious precipitation boundary with freezing levels starting about 1/3 distance up Waterhouse (snow in trees), but no snowfall below. Downhill travel was extremely difficult below 8000' due to a significant rain crust from yesterday's rain event. Around 8250' we found the first evidence of snowfall ~1cm on top of breakable crust and by 8500' lost the breakable crust altogether and enjoyed soft snow. There was noticeable snow settlement of 12" or more even at high elevations (8900') around tree bases with a light upslope wind on N aspect and moderate from the W. Some wind effect in the top 150' from the summit made the snow surface more compact but rideable. I noticed 1"-2" rime developing on the W side of the summit trees but only at the ridgeline.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 23
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- 8000
- Recent Snowfall
- 1
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Snowpack
Initial compression test showed Q1 fracture at CT19, but was influenced by a rock at the base which could have artificially influenced instability rating. ECTX and PST 90/100 were surprisingly stable results given the well-developed facets in the bottom 30cm of snowpack with a 1F-4F slab above. Light wind affect on surface snow on northern aspects. Overall snowpack structure was poor and we were glad to stick to sub 30º skiing.