Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Snow under treeline where precip from rain shadows allowed the powder to consolidate was pretty solid/icy and snow coverage was low down below ~2k'. Above 2k', snow got progressively deeper below treeline (estimated 1.5' in areas around 3k'~3.5k'). Multiple freeze crust layers were observed when poking in snow with butt end of trekking pole, and wandering off the beaten path resulted in knee-high postholing on descent with boots.
Near/above treeline coverage was variable, but the general theme was: deep wind fetch in leeward areas, e.g., traverse/ascent up switchback shortcut below boulder field which bypasses some [generally lower risk] avalanche terrain and lower/more scoured areas in less leeward areas, e.g., boulder field at ~4k'.
Moving through the boulder field without floatation was potentially hazardous: my hiking partner and I were postholing through between boulders a couple feet down to voids between the boulders.
We didn't summit because we couldn't advance without floatation due to deep powder on south ridge (~4.3k'). Traveling without floatation definitely brought home the fact that the storm snow/recent wind fetch is incredibly weak/unconsolidated.
Wind was calm on ascent, but speed increased on descent. It seemed to be flowing from a more westerly direction (potentially). Temperature was incredibly cold: I was wearing a hard shell, thick mid-layer, sub base layer, and base layer, plus thick cold weather gloves. Was also using toe warmers. Temperature at car (when we got back) was supposedly 20°, but decreased on the drive back home to upper teens (east of Snoqualmie).