Poison Canyon

I made observations in Poison Canyon and up to my high point of just over 8700' along the Reba ridgeline.  Temperatures were cold this morning with firm melt freeze crusts on all SE-S-SW aspects.  In treed areas, these crusts were softer with punchy snow conditions.  Other aspects had a variety of snow surfaces ranging from firm wind board, breakable crusts, and some limited areas of soft unconsolidated snow.  No snow is available for wind transport from S-SW winds in this area with firm crusts and wind scoured surfaces existing.  If winds were to switch to the NE, there would be small amounts of soft snow that could be transported.  Very few signs of recent wet snow instabilities existed in this area from the last week.  SW winds were gale force above 8400' along ridgelines with increasing cloud cover through the morning.  No snow surface softening occured by the late morning with the high winds and cloud cover. The firm melt freeze crusts were smooth and provided good edgeable conditions on the descent.