Island Alpine Guides Mount Washington Backcountry

Island Alpine Guides trip to assess snowpack and conditions. Widespread surface hoar 5-10mm right to ridge top. Thin sun crust (~3mm) on solar aspects above 20-25 degrees. Storm snow settling quickly with 15cm of fist density progressing to four finger and one finger resulting in ski penetration of about 20cm. A couple of natural avalanches observed in the North Bowl (one within past 24-48 hours, other older), see avalanche tab and photo. Skied steeper (35-40 degree) lee loaded alpine like feature at tree line elevation just below ridge top with no reactivity in storm snow. Nice skiing on shady aspects with 20cm ski pen of recent storm snow over rapidly settled previous storm snow. Also nice skiing on sunny aspects but on slopes less than 25 degrees to avoid temperature crust. Height of snow at bottom of North Bowl 180cm. Island Alpine Guides access the Mount Washington Backcountry under an access agreement with Mount Washington Alpine Resort and Mosaic Forest Management.