Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Todays breeze became more noticeable as we climbed. Above 4800 feet noticed more consistent wind transport , even in what seemed like it would be protected terrain. Above 5400 feet we found areas of stiff wind crust 4cm thick that showed a small propensity to slab off the end of our skis. Even with warmer weather and direct sun exposure we did not see this wind crust collect any snow as it would slide. Amazing preserved cold powder (18-30cm) even on S facing terrain. In very protected terrain lower down we did notice the snow becoming slightly warmed with small rollerballs on 30+ degree slopes. No sign of anything in this zone interacting with the solstice or 12/30 layers.
Avalanche
Observed signs of small crowns in what appeared to be steep I’m wind drifted slopes. The crowns appeared to be a couple days old.