New Snow, Wind, and Facets on Becker Peak

6-12 inches of soft unconsolidated snow rests above the rain crust on Becker Peak above 7500 ft. On the southerly aspects a thin breakable crust exists. This surface crust likely formed during the day yesterday in response to periods of sun in the Echo summit area. It did exist on some open areas on northerly aspects as well but was less widespread and less developed on these colder aspects.

The recent snow has consolidated some, but it still lacks enough weight and slab properties to break the Dec. 2nd facet layer in the areas tested today. Snowpit tests showed that this facet layer does exist about 25-40 cm down in the snowpack under the first rain crust. In contrast to other places around the forecast area, tests on these facets on a NE aspect at 8100 ft showed that fractures are not likely to travel through the layer at this time if the facets break.

The thin surface crust was limiting the amount of snow available for wind transport in this area until around 12:00 when the wind started to increase and transport snow.

Ski cuts on wind loaded test slopes did not produce any cracking or other signs of instability.