VA Lakes

Wind heavily affected this area. Travel was difficult due to scouring, wind board, and sastrugi. 

GRAUPEL was found pooled throughout the region BTL and NTL. 

Variable distribution of depth and hardness of slab over weak layers. 

Appeared that there were many crowns NTL, that had slid on PWL early storm, and were then heavily affected by the wind/new snow as the storm continued. 

Localized, underfoot collapsing amidst the various wind slab layers. Localized cracking observed in the same regard. Observed one substantial 50ft shooting crack across an entire slope stemming from a skintrack put in in the last 48 hours. I produced one 30 ft crack on a convexity amongst a hard slab. The crack penetrated to the ground (~3.5 ft). This would have slid if the slope was steeper, and unsupported. Terrain choice is everything right now.

Intense wind affect present BTL, NTL, and ATL. Wind transport of snow still occuring. Variable depths, stiffness and reactivity of wind slabs in BTL and NTL terrain. 

Dug @ 10000, N (see pit below). 

15 - 70 cm wind deposits found NTL on leeward aspects, in gullied features, cross-loaded bowls and catchment zones. Slab stiffness varied from 4F to P throughout the region. Slab overlies ~ 30 cm of facets, decomposing melt freeze crust, and chained, cupped, and striated 8 mm depth hoar. Saw multiple chains @ 10 mm. ECTN 16 @ 30 cm down, and ECTP19 @ 90 cm down. PST 2/100 END @ 90 cm down. 

HS: 25 - 100 cm.