Snowpits on Hidden Peak

New snow depth increased dramatically with elevation. 2-3 inches near the base and 12-16 inches above 8500'. The new snow was heavy at the lower elevations and rested on top of a thin rain crust up to 7800'. At the higher elevations wind affected snow existed in most areas, even in the trees. A firm, dense wind slab rested on top of much softer snow. In the more wind exposed areas this wind slab was thicker. A graupel layer existed just below the slab in many areas. The wind slab will support a person on skis in most places; however, once you step off your skis you punch through it. This firm slab sounded hollow, and some shooting cracks occurred when I ski cut some small test slopes.

Pit #1: I dug on a low elevation slope (7600') near where a rain crust and wet snow existed for the new snow to fall on. Only about 4-5 inches of new heavy snow on top of the rain crust in this area. I dug a second pit higher on the peak this day to look at areas with more snow and wind and no rain crust. Still some rocks and logs sticking out of the snow on the lower elevations of Hidden.

Pit #2: I dug this pit higher on the peak (8960' where the map coordinates are) in a wind loaded area to test the wind slabs.