The Old Ski Bowl

Several inches of snow fell between Feb. 28 and March 1, including graupel. A wind slab up to about a foot deep was identified on the leeward side of a morain at 9,500 feet. In a modified ECT, a clean fracture propogated across the entire column about 6 inches down after a swift, firm tap. Beneath the new snow, surfaces were relatively supportable as previously wet or moist snow had crusted over. In several profiles we dug between 8,200 and 9,500 feet, free water from recent rain, melt and heavy, wet snow generally decreased with increasing elevation and on shadier aspects. A north aspect  at the base of Green Butte at 9,000 feet had the least moisture present including relatively dry faceted snow beneath the January crust. The February 14th graupel layer was not directly on this crust, but a couple inches above it within old snow. On an east aspect at 8,200 feet near the large avalanche that occured on Feb. 24, the snowpack was the most saturated and layered with numerous crusts, moist and wet snow. Here, the graupel layer was identified on the January crust.  

We obtained a propagating test result in a drifted moraine. Rollerballs and a possible very small wet loose were ideintified on solar aspects above treeline