South of JHMR

Variable surface conditions. A semi-supportable sun crust is present on south facing slopes around 10,000’. Other slopes offer a mix of punchy wind board, soft-strugi, and settled powder.

Snow depths from 9,500’-10,000’ seem to be hovering around 1 meter (3.3 feet) in sheltered locations. Dug on a south facing slope at 10,100’. HS = 103 cm. Here, about 70 cm (27”) of settled snow was sitting above a 2 cm (1”) thick crust that formed in early December with ~1mm facets below. The facets were weakest just below the crust. Propagation was observed in the facets just below the crust despite a relatively high strength score (ECTP25). Similar structure, minus the buried crust, was observed on north facing slopes. It should be noted that the thickness and hardness of weak snow near the ground varied significantly across the terrain.