Mt Rainier: Paradise: Edith Creek

There's a lot of new snow out there! It's deep! Really deep. While the soft fresh snow was inviting, a recent natural avalanche, significant snowpack test results, and a known weak layer kept our terrain choices very conservative. Our short tour and poor visibility significantly limited observations, but conditions seem in line with others reported form the zone. 

Cracking only on steep test slopes.

Storm totals of 27-30 inches (70-75cm) were observed. Most of this storm snow was very light, unconsolidated (Fist), and generally right side up. A few storm layers were found mostly near the base of the last 24 hours of snow (~10 inches (25cm) and near the base of the storm snow (24in, 60cm). Shallow storm slabs released on a few test slopes and uptrack test produced cracking. 

Our time was limited today, but we were able to dig one profile on a WNW aspect at 5900ft. Both the January Drought Layer (JDL) and 1/10 facets/crusts were very evident. We found 1mm facets above and below a thin breakable crust at the top of the JDL and larger 1.5mm facets above and below the 1/10 crust. Propagation saw tests suggested propagation would occur if the layer failed. (PST 20/100 END x2). A large test slope produce significant shooting cracks but the slope did not release. 

There was evidence of recent wind loading. Textured surfaces and firm stiffer slabs were noted in exposed terrain. Large wind drifts and sharp cornices were also noted, but no real wind slabs were found. However, our travel was pretty limited.