Mt. Washington Backside

<p>We skied in terrain behind Mt. Washington in low angle cut blocks below treeline and off of the NNE and E aspects of the upper ridge. At 1030 m, on an ESE facing slope below treeline we found a snowpack depth of 115 cm. Below treeline travel was at times challenging as snow has no fully settled around small trees and alders. At 1250 m, at the top of a low angle SE facing cut block we found snow depths ranging from 115 to 125 cm. Later in the day, the snow in this cut block grew increasingly heavy as we skied out back to the car. At 1325 m, in glades of the NNE side of a prominent ridge feature (lee side; S side was visibly wind scoured and had less snow depth) we measured a snow depth of 125 cm. A hand shear yielded a clean break at 25 cm at this site. We observed no avalanches. When testing a small roll-over (wind-loaded) in a safe test spot, it broke approximately 20-30 down and a single crack was seen extending about 1 m away. We also observed a snowmobiler ride over a wind-loaded convexity/wind lip (N-facing) and onto the NNE aspect; there were no visible results of this but we thought it note-worthy given our different result with the weight of a person.</p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Dense trees, Sunny slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes, Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Snow Conditions

Heavy, Wind affected, Powder.

Weather Conditions

Cloudy.