Picket Peak

We went to Pickett Peak to observe facets and dig a pit.  There seemed to be a good overnight refreeze. The approach was shallow with multiple dirt crossings on ridges and a frozen surface crust, both supportable and breakable. As the temperatures increased, the clouds appeared to trap the heat and the snow surface began to melt; causing glopping on ski skins.  On our way up, norths were still cold and soft. The increasing clouds on the horizon started to condense and produce snow flurries in the distance. When we were exiting the terrain, all aspects were showing signs of temperature affect. When the surface snow got warm, roller balls and minor signs of wet loose instablities were occuring in the cold snow. It quickly turned to sticky, hot pow at lower elevations and in the trees. Riding conditions were variable and slow. 

We dug a pit at 8,750' on a north slope. We oberserved a density change within the surface facets and a stubborn result on the Jan 1st rain crust. Large column tests did not show signs of propragation.  The snowpack in this location showed a "right-side up" structure. We noted the depth in this pit location was 148cm deep, with a 1F hard midpack and the Jan 1st rain crust down 48cm.  Other areas in lower elevations (7,000') were showing faceting entirely to the Jan 1st raincrust, which was down 15cm. The snow structure changes depending on its depth with elevation. This pit shows the snowpack in the alpine with a deep depth. Near Tree Line and Below Tree Line terrain has a different structure. North aspects are showing signifcant Near Surface Faceting. Southerly aspects are exhibiting a variety of melt freeze stages.