Quick report
Toured in the White Pass area. 28°, snowing on and off, breezy but we stayed in the trees so didn't notice it affecting the snow. The overnight winds, however, were strong enough to blow over the pooper in the parking lot. 16" of snow at 4,700' elevation. 4" of fresh powder on top of a wintery-mix crust from the previous afternoon. The crust was supportable, except when it wasn't. The snow below the crust layer was not consolidated. The striking feature of the day was the water running down the slopes and gullies, alongside the forest roads, and in many cases on and over the roads. Even though the temperatures were below freezing, water was running freely under the snow. I can only assume this runoff is a result of the atmospheric rivers of the previous weeks. It was excellent to be back on skis again after the snows of November were washed away. We never removed our skins but had a wonderful tour.