Observation: Catherines

Snow pit on northwest aspect @ 9,940' in East Bowl was approximately 2' deep. Primarily dry faceted snow with a 1/2" rain crust near the ground with small dry facets below the crust (photo below). The snow is weak in this location and won't stand up to very much water weight when we get our next storm. The Christmas Rain Crust was starting to degrade underneath; and there was no graupel above the crust.

Snow surface was a mixed bag of conditions. Lower angle untracked shaded northerly facing terrain had a soft faceted surface and on steep terrain (greater than 35 °) we were able to trigger facet sloughs 2"-4" deep and isolated to skis.  Some zones were old beaten up wind board or melt-freeze crust on south and west facing slopes in the morning.  West facing in the afternoon was starting to soften, but was not smooth enough for faux corn skiing where we traveled.