Quick report
Today I set out to observe the reactivity of wind blown snow at upper elevations. I came prepared with a full arsenal of sharp traction tools but to my surprise, none were needed to access my high point of 8,500 feet. I did find isolated areas of wind blown snow but it was confined to the eastern side of terrain features and unreactive under my ski and in snow stability tests. The recent heavy winds also left a fresh coat of rime ice on rocks at upper elevations.
Half an inch of snow on top of the supportable 12/26 rain crust made for better than expected ski conditions. However, the rime-covered surface obstacles combined with poor visibility above 7,300 feet prevented an easy descent. Visibility cleared below 7,300 feet and the light precipitation that had been falling as snow was replaced by rain.
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- 7000
- Recent Snowfall
- 2
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Calm winds and light precipitation that fell as rain below 7000 ft.
Snowpack
I dug a pit on a SE aspect at 7,600 feet to investigate the reactivity of the recently wind transported snow. I found 6 inches of well bonded wind blown snow above the 12/26 rain crust but snowpit tests yielded no results. Additionally, I noticed that the 12/19 melt-freeze crust, that just a week ago was 8 inches below the surface and impenetrable, has started to deteriorate.