Quick report
Skied the NE chutes off Fireplug today, and found conditions consistent with most prior observations. Solars were wet, until they lost the sun, and then a thin, unsupportable crust developed. Northerly aspects had extensive surface faceting, which made for excellent ski conditions, especially with a very supportable mid snowpack, even with shallow coverage. Ski penetration was 10 cm, and boot penetration was only 25 cm, keeping us well off the ground. Pit results were also in line with what others have found in the area. Weak faceted snow exists at the base of the snowpack (CT 16 SP), but limited slab development and a strong mid-pack is making this layer unreactive currently (multiple ECTx results). However, there is the potential for this layer to reawaken given sufficient future loading (PST 38/100 end). Perhaps the only silver lining is that it does rest right on the ground, so where they are present, stumps, rocks and other obstacles may limit the continuity of this layer.