Dreamland

The most notable observation from today was the above-freezing temperatures of 37F measured at 5,800' around 2 pm. Second to that was the presence of weak facets, or sugar snow in the snowpack, especially in shallow areas where the snowpack was thin. Solar radiation was strong enough to feel the warmth however the snow surface seemed to remain below freezing.  New cornices have formed on W-NW aspect from last weekend's south winds. We rode where it was deep and well-consolidated. Surface hoar was observed growing along the highway below the treeline.

• A mix of scouring lower down in elevation, with areas of softer snow and crusts. Noticeable sun crusts on E-SE aspects. A few isolated areas of strong over weak layering collapsed underfoot with sugary facets under a hard surface layer around 3,500'. 
• At 5,800' on an S-aspect found a deep drift of consolidated wind slab. Choose to dig in a shallower area with a total snowpack height of HS75cm. Found weak faceted snow under a melt-freeze crust down 30cm with no propagating results in an extended column test at ECTN16.
• The layer of concern was down 55cm on a weak layer of 2mm rounding facets that fully propagated at PST 30/100 End. Underneath this was about 10cm of refrozen depth hoar. This propagating test result is a good indicator that you could still trigger an avalanche from a shallow, un-supported area in the snowpack.