Quick report
Above 8000' it was winter in this area, with HS of 70- 90cm on sunnier slopes. We didn't observe any signs of instability along the routes we traveled, but there was a layer of rimed surface hoar everywhere, which will be interesting if winds stay calm before the next storm rolls in.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 25-30
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Rain Elevation
- 7200
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
It was quite warm in morning with 27 degrees at the trailhead at 930am. When he hit 7200' things went from spring back to winter on sled ride in. During the day, temperatures hung around freezing, never quite warming up.
Snowpack
Total snowpack depth ranged from 0- 90cm on sunnier slopes. We didn't travel on any northerly aspects, but we observed that those slopes had much more snow.
South aspects had a temperature crust on the surface that was stout and supportable. Ranging from 5-10cm, and would be considered "new ground".
Southwest and southeast aspects also had a surface crust that was thinner, at only 2- 4cm of supportable-to-breakable. Below this was 8-10cm of faceting snow resting on a 2/8 weak layer, which presented as a stout 5cm crust. Percolation columns extended below the 2/8 layer 15-20cm down before pooling and creating another pronounced crust. Between this crust around the percolation columns, well-developed facets were present.
East and west aspects, the surface crust faded to 1- 2cm and was breakable. Below this was 5- 8cm of moist faceting snow resting on a 2/8 weak layer, which was a 2-5cm crust. Percolation columns extended below the 2/8 layer 5-10 cm down through the well-developed facets before pooling and forming another crust.
All aspects had thin surface hoar resting on top of the surface crust. This surface hoar started at 8000' and grew in size as we climbed in elevation, closer to the low-hanging clouds. At 8500'- 9000', this surface hoar had some subtle rime on it.