5 Mile Basin Spatial Variability

Went for an explore around 5 Mile basin after experiencing poor visibility and high winds the day before. Planning to ski Larch peak but the south west aspect was heavily wind affected. A wind crust (up to 5cm) sat on top of 20 to 25cm of powder. All supported on a 3-5cm crust. Upper snowpack would fail on the crust once unsupported during hand shears. Upper snowpack would crack at ski track turns. Decided to not ski Larch seeing the conditions and carried on up to Embla peak where the snow was unconsolidated powder on the North and North west aspects. East face of Embla was ankle deep pow once off the ridge. Bowl between Embla and Enma was deep fluffy pow that felt untouched from the recent wind. Skied a west aspect back into 5 Mile Basin, which had been badly affected by the wind until we hit treeline.