Patrol Ridge

Josh and I toured into the Skyland area, specifically Patrol Ridge, to assess recent snow totals and sniff out any buried surface hoar in the region. We experienced great views of alpine terrain under sunny skies with decent skiing in shaded and sheltered terrain. 

•The most recent melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects, but not at all elevations.
          -Solar prone terrain hosts a mostly supportable, stout crust that weakens as you travel into the upper elevations.
          -The crust on polars was supportable at low elevation, breakable at mids, and tapered into a "zipper" crust at uppers. Above 7000', we found soft snow. 

•We found buried surface hoar (4-8mm) under 4-6" (F hard) of recent snow. This was of no concern given the soft snow (ie no slab), however, wind stiffened (4F) snow was reactive at ridgeline on this layer. 

• Below the surface hoar, the next 20 cm is a medley of weak facets with a few inspersed brittle crusts. Below that, the snowpack is stout with no discernible weak snow.

•We comfortably "stepped out" into non-wind loaded, steeper (~35*), avalanche prone terrain and enjoyed predictable, safe turns depsite the varying surface crust as you descend into lower elevations. 

•During our ride out on Skyland Road, temperatures were well above freezing and solar prone terrain was softening at mid elevations. 

We dug a pit at 7000' on a NE aspect. 

HS: 220cm

ECTN 11 down ~12cm from surface (buried surface hoar)