Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Touring up from 5300' I found 8" ski penetration with plenty of evidence of wind. I did some quick hand shears as I gained elevation with the first couple popping as I cut the back side. It was failing on the latest rain crust which was found between 8" & 14" deep. At about 6300', on a sheltered west facing slope I dug a couple of quick hasty pits. The results showed: 9"-10" F with easy clean shear about 1" above the first 1" thick ice crust from the recent rain. The 1" was bonding well. Under the ice layer was 2" of unconsolidated sugar snow. This 2" of facets sat on top of another crust (1+" thick). Under that crust was 4-5" of unconsolidated sugar/facets, which sat on another ice surface, which was about 20" below the surface. (photo)So to summarize, we've got a couple of solid ice crusts sandwiched with unconsolidated sugar snow, both of which are bridging nicely at the moment. Given the lack of time today I did not dig deeper as I knew what I needed to for my objectives. The obvious question to ask before jumping onto something steep would be whether or not the ice layers will support your activity. Sleds and snow bikes should be extra cautious as they can easily trench down into those layers. Once layers start to step down, all bets are off. Thinner pack around and under rock bands seem like something you'd want to avoid right now. The weather was overcast and foggy with good skiing visibility but poor viewing visibility. Slight breeze. I stayed off of wind exposed slopes, but I'm guessing they are firm. My runs were on WNW aspects in sheltered trees. The snow is excellent where sheltered. Lots of sluffing on turns, some cracking, but no running cracks. I couldn't get test slope convexity's to pop.