Surface Hoar on Talking Mt.

Toured around Talking Mountain today. Found Surface Hoar in open clearings on every aspect, although I left sunny aspects before noon and it is likely melting on some of these slopes destroyed the Surface Hoar. Evidence of huge amounts of settlement on Talking Mt., especially at higher elevations. 

I dug a pit just below 8000 feet on a NE aspect. Height of snow over 320 cms. Snow was right side up down to the crust/facet. PST 80/140 END down 125. 

Towards the end of my time on Talking I noticed darker clouds gathering and soon it began to snow. The first precipitation particles were graupel but it transitioned to stellars. During my time not enough snow fell to cover the Surface Hoar, but it was still snowing when I left. 

Photo 1: Low angle sunny slopes on Becker Ridge had runnels under a melt freeze crust capped by Surface Hoar.

Photo 2: Surface Hoar was present on most open areas along Becker Ridge to Talking Mt. Size ranged from 5mm to well over 1 cm.

Photo 3: Surface Hoar at my pit location on a north facing slope at 8000 feet.

Photo 4: Crusts and weak snow in this area are between 190 and 170 cms. 

Photo 5: PST 80/140 END down 125

Photo 6: Towards the end of my time on Talking clouds moved in and it began to snow.