Giddy Giddy Gulch

Last night's 6 to 9 inches of low-density snow coated all observed terrain below, near, and above treeline with minimal wind effect. This morning, small slabs of new snow were reactive on steep terrain features, failing a few inches deep on a density change within the new snow. Multiple small loose slides were observed on steep slopes in Avalanche Gulch. Buried graupel is widespread. In some places, this graupel rests below two feet of recent snow and above a crust. This is a setup that warrants continued caution and monitoring. 

Mostly minor cracking with a few shooting cracks on steep terrain features and in wind-drifted areas. Natural rollerballs initiated on steep, solar aspects below treeline by early afternoon.

On a south aspect at 8,400 feet (25-degree slope), CT2(SP) down 7 inches (17cm) on a density change at the bottom of last night's new snow. At this location, there is a graupel layer atop a crust at the base of 22 inches (54cm) of recent snow. It was difficult to assess the strength of this layer with an ECT or CT due to the low-density snow near the surface. Conducted a modified deep tap test - DT12(SP), suggesting potential remains for this layer to be problematic. 

A crust is likely to develop overnight on aspects that were exposed to the sun during today's clearing.