Mammoth Lakes Basin

I ventured into the Lakes Basin today to assess storm snow totals, and gauge the reactivity and distribution of loose dry instabilities, and wind slab development/instabilities. This area received ~ 4 in at lower elevations, and closer to 7 in as you approach the crest. However, it was a bit hard to gauge HSN as you gain elevation and break out of treeline terrain as most slopes were at lease somewhat wind affected. Trees held rime ice showing the winds had shifted direction between NW - NE - E, as felt today. Overall, loose dry instabilities were limited in size due to the amount of new snow, and limited in distribution to areas that hold a bed surface of facets over a supportable crust that is easy to slide on. I was unable to kick off any wind slabs today, but I did experience cracking underfoot, and ECTs showed propagating results (see snowpack).  

Cracking underfoot in areas with wind loading. Soft slab development up to 45 cm deep observed. Failing on the PP/FC interface near and above treeline on NW - N - E aspects, and in specific terrain features below treeline.

BTL: 5 - 25 cm of snow (increasing w/ elevation) over facets over 1F - P crusts. Instabilities observed on specific terrain features where enough snow is present. 

NTL/ATL: 20 - 55 cm of wind loaded snow over facets, or facets over 1F - P crusts. ECTP 12 x2 on a layer ~ 45 - 55 cm down where I dug, on the interface between new snow and facets. The unit that broke was cohesive. NW, 10200, NTL. Wind loaded slope NW NTL. Wind scoured E/NE slopes NTL. Wind scoured slopes NW ATL.  Variable with shifting winds. Wind loaded (not slabbed) S faces.