Snow conditions on Jake's Peak

Very little new snow fell on Jake's yesterday and last night. Even in the wind-loaded areas only 1-2 inches of new snow was present. A firm crust existed on all aspects below 8000 ft. This crust supported a skier and did not break when weighted. Above 8000 ft on the more sheltered northerly aspects, this crust gave way to a layer of dense firm snow. Handpits showed that this strong layer of dense snow rested on top of a lighter layer of snow. On the wind-loaded slopes, this strong layer was a dense wind slab. Stability tests on the interface between this strong layer and the softer layer below it showed some lingering weakness. However, ski cuts on steep, wind-loaded test slopes only produced craking when the slope was undercut prior ro weighting it. 

On the more sun-exposed southerly aspects, the crust extened all the way up to the summit of Jake's. This crust remained frozen above 8000 ft until after 12pm. Between 8000 ft and 7300 ft this crust softened and left 1-3 inches of soft snow on the surface with a supportable layer of frozen snow below. Below 7300 ft several inches of wet, sticky, snow existed on the E-SE-S aspects by noon.