Unstable snowpit tests on Jan 4 PWL, Yuba Pass.

We went to the Yuba Pass/Lincoln Ridge area today to have a look below treeline at the Jan 4 persistent weak layer (PWL) and at ridgetop wind slabs. In the snowpit, on a NNE aspect at ~7,500', test results pointed to continued instability concerns on the Jan 4 PWL. We encountered no other signs of instability while in the area.

We kicked at several cornice areas and were unable to trigger any wind slab associated cracking along the top of Lincoln Ridge.

We traveled a S aspect around 2 pm in the 6,800'-7,000' range and snow was melting/dripping off of trees and the snow surface in open sun exposed areas was undergoing melt.