Polaris Point

We toured Polaris Point today, monitoring the distribution of surface facets and crust/facet combos in the upper snowpack. Across shaded, wind protected northerly aspects, near surface facets were widespread at 5 to 6 inches deep. These facets rested on top of firm rain crust making for challenging skinning conditions at times. As expected, wind exposed areas near ridgetops were scoured on both NE and NW aspects. We dug a pit to look at the numerous rain crusts in the upper snowpack. Faceted snow crystals existed both above and below them, but were stronger than the facets at the snow surface.

Notable faceting of the upper snowpack. NSF weak layer on top of rain crust, but no overlying slab. Some faceting around rain crusts in the upper snowpack, but snowpit tests did not suggest the presence of a problematic layer at this time.