Richardson Ridge

Found a sheltered spot from the winds that were hammering the alpine from the west today. Lots of snow transport at and above treeline but some good powder pockets remain in sheltered E-SE aspects in between 2250 and 2000m. Snowpack depth was variable fom 50-70 cm depending on wind/sun exposure. There is a prominent pencil hard crust down approx 25cm and we got hard (23) sudden planar results on the upper surface of this layer. Probably something to watch out for as it gets progressively loaded. Found a few pockets of thin (2-3cm 2 finger) surface wind crust on west aspects but otherwise pretty good early season skiing. Wx -3 at noon, mostle overcast, light snow, winds light with occasional moderate gusts. Still early out there.