Snowpack

Mosquito Creek

Frank CarusSnake River Range
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Quick report

No cracking, collapsing during ride nor recent avalanches noted on Smokey Hollow peak.

Weather

Air Temp
25
Cloud Cover
broken
Wind Loading
none
Recent Snowfall
40
Snow Avail For Transport
large amounts

Snow showers (S-1) through the day with very brief periods of filtered sunshine. Mid-20's F and light wind.

Snowpack

NE facing shady slope at 8700'. Generally right side up snowpack with progressive collapses during compression and extended column test that aligns with lack of signs of instability in the area. Drifting and minor wind effect was visible though ridgetops showed clear signs of loading though activiity was limited to a couple small cornice breaks. Noted a clean fracture down 50cm that appeared to be some 2mm laid over surface hoar which was most likely  buried  March 6th and is very similar to a layer from about the same date found in Togwottee. No avalanche or poor stability results on the layer. 

The upper snowpack as noted above, is right side up and fist hardness snow. Going forward watch for heating/sun on the surface snow or higher dsesnity snow to fall on what is fairly low density snow, abovew 8500' anyway. Also, there is 25 cm of low density snow available for wind transport.