Ophir Peak

This morning we toured terrain on the N, E, and S side of Ophir Peak (Peak 9,225'). We covered NW-N-NE-E-SE aspect terrain in the 8,000' to 9,200' elevation range. By 10:30 am we were starting to encounter areas of surface we snow development on E aspects around 9,100'. This wet snow spread to other sun exposed slopes as the morning progressed. We saw one small wet loose avalanche. It appeared that the melt-freeze crust that forms tonight on solar aspects will limit blowing snow potential as SW winds increase ahead of the next storm.

We did not see any indications of wind slabs in this specific area today.

Surface hoar at 10 to 15 mm in size was present on all aspects on our arrival. We noted the surface hoar was destroyed today on slopes with direct sun exposure, but persisted on NW-N-NE aspects that either had very low sun angles or were shaded. This surface hoar was observed covering from ridgetop areas down to the bottom of drainages and had impressive size and distribution in below treeline areas. Concern exists for burial of this surface hoar on Monday.

Surface hoar at 10 to 15 mm was widespread and persisting across NW-N-NE aspect avalanche terrain. The size of the SH on treed slopes was impressive. It existed in any relatively small open areas where the forest canopy allowed for a clear view of the sky in addition to on the more traditional open slopes.