Observation: Butler Fork

Went to the Wilson Chutes to see if the rime crust was present in that terrain and also the E facing terrain in upper Butler Basin. Skied a due N line off the headwall of the Wilson Chutes the surface was recrystallized powder but the rain/rime crust was noted under about 6 inches of loose faceted surface snow. I could pick the crust up in plates and it was much more notable in this terrain than on the PC Ridgeline or Dry Fork. Facets were noted under the crust and on top of it. The increasing wind speeds were building wind slabs on the leeward ridge lines and cracking in these slabs was not uncommon. This same rim crust was present in the E facing terrain in upper Butler Basin as well. Not a big deal now but may become problematic with a load.

photos: rime crust in Wilson, cracking on the leeward side of the Wilson ridge line and growing cornices.

Damp on the S end of the compass and will most likely be crusted in the am, wind crust and loose faceted snow on the E,W and N. The wind was damaging the small amount of powder that is left.