Before the storm

On a sheltered north aspect at 2140m we found about 25 cm of soft snow over the robust rain crust from the last atmospheric river. Although we had no cracking, whumpfing or sled cut results we did see some small (size 1), natural avalanche activity out of extreme terrain due to new wind loading. The big question is how will the snowpack react to the load from the incoming storm? All of the ingredients for increased avalanche hazard! New snow, strong winds and rising freezing levels.

Small facets found on the Dec 4th melt-freeze crust.