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Weather Summary

Winds blowing moderate to strong until noon, then decreasing in speed. Clear skies with a stray cloud passing through the area occasionally.

Snowpack Observations

Interesting crust on all aspects and elevations observed. At valley bottom it presented as a zippery 2-3mm water ice lens resting on dry snow. As we climbed in elevation, it transitioned to a 1-1.5cm thick, aerated melt-freeze crust. This crust extended up to at least 8,000' (top of where we traveled). I internally debated whether it was just an ambient temp crust or if there had been a touch of liquid precip in the overnight squall. Ultimate conclusion was that it was just a temp crust, but hard to explain the varying morphology. Either way, something to map before the next major storm.

Dug at 6,900' on E/SE aspect where HS=90-100cm, to look at character and behavior of 12/11 and mid-pack interfaces. Without skiing in one spot every day it is pretty hard to point at any of these interfaces and say with confidence when they were formed and buried. Regardless, the pattern of mid and upper pack MFcr+FC combinations being a problem continues. Snowpack tests yielded ECTP 22 down 40-45cm on the lower of a pair of crusts. The upper crust was 3-4mm water ice crust (rain?) while the lower crust was a subtle MFcr with FC on top. ECTP 23 and 25 down 65-70cm on 12/11.