Observation: Willard Peak

Despite moderate northerly winds, found only some wind damage. Possibly isolated pockets along highest elevations.

I am expecting the dry cold snow to be overwhelmed by sun and warm temperatures this weekend as 700mb/10,000' temperatures reach +5C (mid-40s F with a poor refreeze). The southerly aspects host 4-8" of cold dry snow above older mf crusts and will be a good bed surface for the wet activity to run. The Sunday/Monday rain/snow line to 7000' as reported by Derek DeBruin will be a good bed surface for wet activity to run on all aspects.

Even taking into account the albedo of new super low density cold snow, it still tends to be very susceptible to warming. The Ogden mountains - with the myriad crusts, grauple, and wind effect - will be a touch slower to react but wet loose and wet slabs are still expected over the next three days.

Photos:

• Bushwacking still required in the Ogden area mountains.
• Even for moose.
• Wind effect up high.
• Cross-loading in one potential objective that was abandoned due to these wind features.
• Ben Lomond (actually Willard Peak) lives up to its Scottish heritage.

Soft settled powder still out there in sheltered terrain; otherwise all-you-can-eat rime, wind, sun crusts.  Still, riding conditions good even in the highest terrain.