Quick report
Proper storm day with deep powder, cold temperatures, thick clouds, and strong NW wind.
12-18" of 8-10% density snow lies above the dust crust, with wind loaded areas around 2 feet deep. The snow was slightly upside-down on windward terrain. Hand shears were inconclusive due to the lack of a cohesive slab where we traveled. Initial snow 72 hours ago is now bonding well to the dust crust on W-S-E aspects. Definitely enough wind transporting snow to form reactive wind slabs. We did not travel into very steep or heavily loaded terrain where more instability would be expected.
Keep a heads up tomorrow as clear skies will allow the new snow to set up into a firmer slab. The April sun is strong, so expect the cold snow to shed as wet loose.
Use caution as this storm has covered many obstacles. Low coverage exists due to the big warm-up at the end of March.
We were surprised with the lack of signs of instability in our travels. One small pocket released from a rider on wind drift beside the bootpack.