Canyon Creek

A quick wellness check on the 12/7 interfaces, as well as a brief look at its older sibling, the AR melt-freeze crust.

• We experienced no collapses or shooting cracks even on slopes about 35 degrees in steepness.
• In snow profiles on south (6500 ft) and north (6425 ft), large column tests failed with easy or moderate force but did not propagate. 
• The 12/7 suncrust (south) and surface hoar/facets (north) are obvious in pit walls. In this area, they are buried by about 15 cm of recent snow. That's not enough snow to form a reactive or dangerous slab. 
• Skiing conditions were grabbier as we got close to the canyon floor (5300 ft), which is about the elevation of the snow-rain line on 12/7. Hand pits showed a thin, intermittent ice layer just below the surface at this elevation.
• In the profile on the north-facing slope, we found a thin layer of small, soft facets above the AR crust that did not propagate in tests.
• We saw a few, isolated signs of wind-affected snow - some needles and a waffled snow texture. 

Given the lack of signs of instability, new snow depths less than 20 cm/ 8 inches, and lack of propagation in tests, we felt comfortable on steep, northerly slopes

S facing, 6500 ft, HS 120 cm: ECTN 13 and CTE 14 SC below the 12/7 suncrust. Profile and image attached.

N facing, 6425 ft, HS 130. ECTN 10 at bottom of 12/7 surface hoar/ facets (112 cm). ECTN 26 below AR crust.