Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

I was socked in all day with some light snowfall; winds were gusty at times, strong enough to move the little bit of new snow. It seemed like the sun was trying to come out but the clouds just wouldn't dissipate

Avalanche Observation Comments:

No new avalanches observed

Snowpack Observations

Made a trip up East Peak and down into Cement Basin before reversing my route back to the car. I was expecting to find a crust under the newly fallen snow on sunny slopes but was surprised when I found it on almost all aspects. Dust on crust conditions with the amount of dust varying depending on elevation and exposure to wind. In some locations, it was all crust, while in others I found piles drifted a couple of inches deep.

While the wind was easily transporting the new snow, I did not encounter any drifts large enough to create a consequential avalanche, but again, visibility was extremely poor. On the ridgeline, some small fresh cornices had developed and they broke easily under the weight of my ski and skittered down on the crusty slope below.

The crust itself was mostly breakable on the ascent but would support skis on the descent. It was definitely not boot supportable and was easy to break through with your hand or ski pole. Old ski tracks and rollerballs from the warm weather were frozen and sticking out of the new snow, creating bumpy conditions.