Quick report
Surface snow was low density and was lightly wind affected. No slab present though some wind drifts and cornices indicate that there has been some wind loading.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 15
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 20
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Snowpack
Dug on a solar aspect to inspect the crusts for facet development. Found the mid-storm layer from the most recent storm on 1/6 hadn't sintered much- still collapses on moderate taps. This may be the layer that is still reactive elsewhere, most notably in the Tetons. We saw no avalanches on this layer and hand shears in various sheltered locations did not indicate potential for human triggering. Ridgetops show decent cornice development though slabs beneath appear soft and small...no wind whales. Deeper in the snowpack, the recent melt freeze crust that developed during the period of mixed precip and rain (Feb 3?) and is marked by the dust, still has some minor and small faceting beneath though it was stubborn to shovel shears. That layer seems to be trending the right direction though worth watching as cold weather on the way may drive some more faceting.