Mt. Crested Butte

Widespread surface hoar extends into the alpine and was only getting cooked off on southerly aspects up high.  This layer could be a big problem if the weekend storm comes in without much wind, as is currently forecasted.   The top 3" to 5" snow was wet at 12,000' on south facing slopes.  More new D1 wet loose and D2 persistent slab activity in the shallow zone has run sometime in the past two days; uncertain of the exact timing.  2 D2s on west and southwest aspects.  Not as much wet loose activity here as on the west side of the Ruby's yesterday.   

Large-grained surface hoar (~10mm) up to 11,800', and medium-sized above that (~5mm).  It was preserved on steep east and west facing slopes near the summit.  On ~35 degree, southwest facing slopes near the summit, it was sort of intact, like moist, folded-over cornflakes. Radiative cooling was helping keep it from melting away above the wet snow below.