AMR. Because there is always powder at AMR

We were headed to look at the sunny slopes off the back of the Playground, but the snow quality was too poor to get back there. So we pulled the plug and headed back down the northerly side of AMA. Snow quality was rather low all around, but it's always a good day when you get to say hi to Schnoid. 

The poor snowpack.

South, between 11,000ft and 11,500 ft, had a frozen snow surface with breakable ski conditions. I'm not sure at what elevation that snow surface was softened. Dug one quick snow profile on a south-facing slope at 11,500ft. HS here was only 65cm. About 35cm was sitting on a thick crust that was created Jan 15&16th. The snow above the crust had seen extra wind-loading from the northerly wind events. The crust was thick and had percolation columns down to the ground. The whole snowpack was moist. 

Northerly facing slopes had a moist snow surface up to about 10,600ft. Above that elevation, the snow surface was thick and likely helping keep any sluffs in check. 

We skied out Friendly Finish. Below the old hard slab, the snow on this easterly-facing slope was thick and heavy but ultimately not wet enough to get moving in a loose wet avalanche.