Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Surprisingly confidence-inspiring snow today. We dug three hand pits (E,S,W aspects) at elevations between 5,500 and 6,500 ft. On the S and W aspects, yesterday’s snow was cohesive but poorly bonded to the snowpack, allowing ~3cm to slide in light planar slabs. We did not see the same effect on our E aspect test. Everything below yesterday’s snow was unreactive. We noted cornices on all ridgeline aspects and wind loading on all aspects at and above treeline. Cracking was isolated and found only on a couple of wind-loaded pockets. We made three descents between 30 and 38 degree slope angle and produced a few minor sluffs on the highest angle western slope.