Andesite snowpack obs

We toured to Andesite Peak during an AIARE 1 class today.  We met Steve and Andy, two SAC forecasters at the trailhead. Andy was kind enough to explain why loose wet avalanches weren't on the advisory today, in spite of the weak refreeze and warm temps. Andy also specifically asked for observations, so....

We ascended the SE aspects of Andesite and dug a quick pit on an open slope, E aspect, below treeline. We found a crust at the surface, in spite of the warm overnight temps. There were several crusts and layers of weaker snow in the top 30cm of the snowpack. ECT tests resulted in no fractures initiating, ECTX.
Off the summit of Andesite, E aspects, at 12:30, the snow surface was quite enjoyable for a few turns in the above treeline terrain, where the overnight refreeze formed and the sun/temps softened the snow today. The snow was very supportive below the softened surface.  Just two hundred feet down the slope, in an area that was still open to the nighttime sky, but shaded from the sun by trees during the day, the surface remained crusty. A few feet lower In the trees, where the snow didn't have a clear view of the nighttime sky, the snow was a hot mess.

We definitely skied the slope.