Pickett Peak

First time in the Pickett peak area this year, low tide conditions did not make it conducive to travel previously. I stopped down low at 7100' to check the HS, there was about 105cms of snow and most obstacles were covered in this area. Surface snow was light and low denisty as we climbed up, skies were mostly overcast through the morning with light snowfall occuring. We found a few small windload features on the way up and gave them a ski kick. One on a steeper slope was stubborn and required a few kicks but did eventually crack off in chunks. We stopped at 7800' and dug a pit, we were able to identify weak faceted grains within the Jan. 2nd layer and basal facets near the ground. We  did not get results within compression tests or extended column tests on these layers but the progagation saw test did show signs of failure on the Jan.2nd layer. I also targeted the Jan. 31 melt/freeze and got planar results but the column did not slide down far. While doing pit tests the clouds were breaking up allowing for moments of sunshine and breaks in the snowfall for extended periods of time. Wind also increased and was blowing snow around in open areas and knocking snow out of the trees up higher. We intended in climbing higher but had some skin issues that forced us to descend from our pit location and retreat back to the truck.  We did not observe any other instabilities along the way down. 

We dug a pit @ 7800' on a N aspect. The HS at this location was 115cms with about 70cms of new snow from the last series of storms since Friday. Below the new snow the Jan.2 PWL was still present and still had weak non-compressible grains within this layer. There was also basal facets at the ground but seemed to be gaining strength as they were moist and compressible. The Jan.31 melt freeze crust was also present and has weaker grains below it. I started with a CT and had no results. I decided to try a ECT anyway and still had no results. I then decided to target the Jan.2 and Jan. 31 with the PST and got results on both layers. On the Jan. 2nd the score was 35/100arr, however the column only slid a 1/2" at best. The Jan 31st layer had very similar results 20/100arr but with a more planar result but still the column did not slide down far.