Wind Effect & Graupel on Castle

Upon beginning to skin, we were surprised to see the entrace gate completely buried, and subsequently noticed all terrain to be very transformed by a deep snowpack. Distinct settlement cracks were at the bases of most trees.

Once at the saddle and entering the NW trees of Castle, terrain was extremely wind effected including large, wavy ridges and giant cornices in locations that typically have none. We jumped on a few test slopes, which did not respond, and a couple of cornices, which broke in pieces up to refridgerator size.

Trees on the NW slope were covered in rime ice. In the meadow northwest of the peak we encountered a graupel layer about 1-2cm deep and average 1mm in size. This was also present on some parts of the ridge heading toward Castle's north bowl.