East of WMR

Day off wander east of WMR.

• Between crusts, moist snow, and debris from trees, riding conditions were highly variable and often grabby. Best riding was on lower-angled and shaded slopes. 
• The 12/7 persistent weak layer was surprisingly hard to identify in a profile on a north-facing, mid elevation slope.
• Column tests on that layer released with hard force. No propagation in the northerly profile; sudden collapse on west. 
• The 12/18 interface was evident in two profiles and failed with moderate force. 
• A thin rain crust caps northerly facing slopes below about 5300 feet.
• 2 cm thick melt-freeze crusts exist on slopes exposed to the sun. On steep slopes, they're supportable. 
• Another party rode steep, northerly terrain directly off the ridge with no incident.

The layer of surface hoar and facets buried 12/7remains a lingering concern and continues to dictate my terrain choices. 

None.

Highly variable snow surfaces. Melt-freeze crusts, dust-on-crust, moist snow, re-frozen debris from trees, and dense settled snow on northerly slopes. HS 140-150 cm at mid elevations. 

2 quick test profiles, one at 6300 feet on a west aspect and the other at 6200 feet on a northerly aspect.

• 12/18 interface: 20-25 cm below surface. CTM 12 or 13; ECTN  12 on N. 
• 12/7 persistent weak layer: 50-55 cm below surface. CTH 22 on W; ECTN 28 on N. 

Did not test Nov. AR layer.