Region- Sawtooth, McDonald Peak Area
Sunday 2/28
Warming temps in the afternoon, however no affect on surface. Pit at 8400’ E aspect. Area without wind affect. Identified buried NSF later at 75cm from ground. ECTN, and inability to initiate failure on deeper layers with deep tap testing. While manipulating column could separate above 75cm layer with clean fracture. No signs of instability noted skiing.
Monday 3/1
Warming temps early in day with surface metamorphism on SE-SW. Pit profile on SE aspect at 9000’ without identifiable crust. ECTN, other provocative testing including deep tap and shovel tilt around 75cm layer without failure. Viewed old crown and debris from slide on McDonald. Solar and temp affect on surface became more evident as the day progressed and even temp effect noted on lower elevation eastern slopes ~7800’. As snow began to refreeze thin “zipper crust” noted. Snow remained dry in mid elevations and shaded slopes. No wind slab development noted on either day in our tour area near treeline.