Snowpack

4th of July Creek

Zelaya, MillerGalena Summit & Eastern Mtns
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3

Quick report

We saw no signs of instability during our travels and generally a right-side-up snowpack. Snow levels have dropped significantly since our last notable storm in this area, with old hazards reemerging (especially on burned-off south-facing slopes). There was a breakable crust on sunnier slopes, while shaded slopes generally had facets forming on the surface.  We skied an open NE slope where the snow surface was surprisingly variable.

Weather

Air Temp
30- 40
Cloud Cover
broken
Wind Loading
previous
Snow Avail For Transport
small smounts

Overcast most of the day with moments where the sun popped out. Temperatures reached above freezing early in the day and stayed there.

Snowpack

Sunny slopes had a breakable crust with near-surface facets beneath.  At 9000' and up on steep slopes, many sun/wind-buffed surface crusts had begun to facet and break down. 

Shady slopes were a mixture of wind-textured and surface faceting.

Cornices drooped down, touching the slope below in many places.

Our snowpit at 9800' on a NE aspect produced no unstable test results and was right-side-up (soft and gradually hardening with depth). HS 175cm, ECTX