West Willow

Start zones are becoming more filled in and starting to connect different pieces of terrain. This is a result of shifting winds throughout the recent snowfall. Snow coverage below tree line is improving, but bushwhacking through shrubs and navigating around open creeks are still a part of travelling in the mountains. 

Minimal cracking between skis

Thanks to cold temps and snow lines at valley floors, the new snow that started on December 26 is improving access to the mountains and coverage at all elevations. 

On an east-facing slope at 6300' with a HS of 105cm, Several CT results failed with 10 taps in the new snow, all of which were within the top 13" of snow from the surface. A slight hardness change where 4F hard snow was sandwiched between F hard snow produced 2 different resistant planar results, and one ECTN12. Sustained cold temps continue to promote faceting around rain crusts and throughout the whole snowpack.  

I observed snow being transported below upper elevation ridgelines throughout the day. With how low-density the new snow is, relatively lower wind speeds easily redistributed the surface snow. There were new wind drifts and signs of previously strong winds, even in more sheltered treed terrain in the middle elevation band.