NE Ridge of Mt. Lola

The snow surface held a thin crust that our snowmobiles easily broke through as we rode up to the NE ridge of Mt. Lola. We could see melting surface hoar lying on top of the crust in some open meadows. 

We switched to skis around 7600 ft. We searched for intact surface hoar on steep N-facing slopes but could only find small isolated patches. The breakable crust got thinner as we ascended. By 8000 ft we could barely feel the crust on the northerly aspects. If we moved over to E, SE, or W aspects, we found a supportable melt-freeze crust on the surface up to 8400 ft. 

Even though snowfall remained limited, we saw blowing snow and deposits of wind-blown snow on the leeward side of the ridge. These new wind slabs remained small and shallow. If more snow falls later today, they could quickly grow larger. 

Ski kicks triggered minor cracking on NE-facing slopes near the ridgeline. The cracks only occurred on previously undercut slopes and did not travel more than 3 ft. The fresh wind slabs only measured up to 3 inches in depth.