Variable snow surfaces at Incline Peak

As forecasted, Incline Lake Peak had variable snow surface conditions today. Hiking up the East and then North aspects of the peak I observed the 1/1 rain crust up until about 8400' until it gave way to more wind effected snow surfaces. Photo 1 shows a combination of wind buff, rain crust, reverse tracks and bits of softer near surface faceted snow on a NE aspect at about 9200'. Moving to the corniced ridgeline that extends West from the summit I was able to kick off some small cornice chunks pretty easily, but these did not trigger any cracking in the loaded wind pillows below (Photo 2 and 3). Further jumping on these wind pillows did not cause any cracking or any signs of instability.

Descending the North side of the peak led to some soft snow in near and below treeline terrain that was sheltered from the recent winds. The soft snow was mixed in with somewhat breakable wind effected snow and lower down a skiable rain crust. A snowpit in this area showed faceted snow above the 12/12 rain crust and below the 1/1 rain crust. Facets were visible, but were mixed in with rounded grains and were moist. Compression tests at this location suggest propagation is unlikely. 

Trying a different aspect after this led to the Southeast face. Descending at 12:45 found sun and tempearture softened surface conditions on the rain crust and wind textured pitch. Photo 4 shows a few roller balls that were forming at this time. Definietly not corn snow, but somewhat more consistent skiing than the Northern side of the peak.