Upper Blue

Leaving the Hope Valley sno-park, we weren't sure what to expect given the partly sunny sky and only a dusting of new snow in nearby meadows. But the closer we got to Upper and Lower Blue Lakes, the more the recent snow had accumulated. Most of our riding after leaving the road was in a consistent foot of new, low density snow. Multiple steep test slopes failed to show signs of Dry Loose instabilities. Shovel shears and mitt pits at the new/old interface were resistant and non-planar. Near and above treeline, visibility was poor due to blowing snow, but we saw enough blowing snow and fresh "tiger striping" to know there were newly deposited Wind Slabs. We avoided steep terrain and dropped back below treeline before exposing ourselves to steep terrain again.

A consistent foot of new, low density snow on top of a firm old snow crust. Bonding between the two appeared good.