Marquee / upper Cameron snow connies 18-19 July

Marquee / upper Cameron snow connies 18-19 July Wind affected very firm snow of variable depth (stripped few cm to ~1 m) above 1900 m approx. Poorly consolidated / no real base on ridges, largely deposited in the lee gullies but not enough to overload. Evidence of good consolidation from solar on northerly half aspects. Low overall snowpack volumes with no large slab buildup or slab debris / crown walls visible from prior week's storm. No cornicing. Below 1900 approx a generally thin snowpack was frozen very hard by repeated rain / solar / high FAFL conditions followed by clear cold nights. Serious slide for life! Skiing quality poor to ok at upper elevations followed by putting on crampons and careful bootpacking lower down (minimal crampon point penetration). Occasional evidence of loose snow avalanches from the prior week at size 1-1.5 approx on all aspects, but not widespread (i.e. some slopes had debris, otherwise similar slopes did not). These generally originated around 1900 running out to ~1500 and in places ran to ground. Looks likely they started in upper areas where the snow had come in colder / drier (not forming a consolidated base) then received load from rain / temps, failed, and ran out a long way on the icier slopes lower down. No avalanches seen during 2.5 days up there, seemingly very stable connies but no good for skiing or climbing!

Snowpack