Heather Meadows

My main takeaway from the day is that avalanche conditions were sneaky. The slabs were very soft and subtle (you might say undetectable), yet reactive as soon as you were in steep enough terrain on most aspects and elevations- whether failing on crust or facets.  

Weaknesses were very hard to identify in low angle terrain. Pit and hand test results did not identify a slab in the new snow and didn't produce any result of interest. These weren't representative of slab avalanches you could easily trigger on steep slopes. On a couple small test slopes we triggered tiny pockets within the new snow layer <6" deep, but larger slopes produced avalanches failing at the new/old interface, 1ft+ deep.

Low density dry snow was present over an obvious firmer underlying layer. In most cases the underlying layer was a melt freeze crust or wind-packed rounds, although on some northerly aspects we found weak facets in the old snow surface. 

Layers beneath the new/old interface are not currently a concern where we traveled. Snowpack heights are averaging just over a meter deep. 

Early season conditions with plenty of exposed rocks are present. Some locations were still very bare looking but some slopes, especially north-facing, were smooth and filled in.  Skiing on consistent, smooth medium-angle slopes was remarkably pleasant.