White Pass Backcountry

Today was a full notch warmer. You could feel it in the snowpack and see it on slopes around you. While it didn't feel like the scales had tipped towards wet avalanches, you could see it going in that direction. 
In less sunny terrain, "variable" continues to be the word of choice. There is plenty of weak snow on the surface, pinning down exactly what the upper snowpack looks like by aspect or elevations would be a magic trick. 

None noted

Southerly Slopes: Steeper terrain receiving direct sun was by far the most predictable today. Several days of freeze-thaw has produced spring-like conditions. Melt-freeze crust several inches thick (4-6 in, 10-15cm) provided generally smooth and supportable travel. Lower-angled slopes of the same aspect, however, had not undergone this same process and held more variable conditions with a breakable crust frequently capping several inches of faceted snow. 

W-N-E Facing Terrain: Facets were common on most slopes. Sometimes there were shallow (1-3cm) other times deep (4-8in, 10-20cm). These weak sugary grains sat atop a stout, slick but not boot-supportable crust. In some locations, these facets were capped by a thin breakable crust and/or surface hoar. Other than slopes that had been scoured down to the icy crust below, it was challenging to tell by looking at a slope if it was soft, crunchy, or smooth. Even some slopes that looked wind affected and icy were indeed weak facets (see photo). Subtle changes in slope angle and aspects in regard to wind exposure or sunshine made huge differences. All in all variable sums it up nicely. 

Glide: Glide cracks were noted on Coal Creek Ridge (Chimney Rock) and near the cliffs in 2nd Bowl on Hogback Mt. 

Cornices: East winds have trimmed back most of the normal large cornice areas, there is much less to fall down than normal. 

Wind effect: You could still see the effects of Saturday's (1/25) east wind event. We didn't find any wind slabs, but there was drifting and textured surfaces.