Burnt Wagon Gulch to Surprise Lake

Travelled from the valley up to the Surprise Lake weather station via Burnt Wagon Gulch. Dug a pit on the way up after getting a localized collape at 7800' on a SE aspect.  We got propagation in the ECT at 19 taps down 28 inches on facets above a crust (December drought layer) that was buried on January 4th. We also got a PST END 35/100. 

Snow was crusty up to about 7500' but improved rapidly above that. Solar aspects had some sun affect below 8300' but were still skiing very well, just a little firmer. Great skiing overall.

Surprise Lake Interval Board:

20" Snow, 3.65" SWE (Last cleared Jan 14)

 

Notably less collapsing than the last few days. A few localized collapses in mostly mid-elevation terrain.