A look below last week's storm snow, Castle Peak

Observations over the last three days have revealed planer breaks (3-4) in the top 55 cm of the new snow; that's the extent of weaknesses we've found.  Today we dug to the old snow surface of 20180225 and found very small, weak grains both above and below this old surface crust.  Two seperate Deep Tap tests broke on the 27th and 28th taps, SC Q3 both.  Skiers have been branching out into a little more aggressive terrain each day.  Several committed ski lines were observed topped with snowpits: riders are investigating all these new, deep Donner Summit snows.  Shaded snow skied excellent into the afternoon, while all other aspects were taking a hit from the sun.  Wet and sticky in the bright light, thin breakable crusts on the aspects getting glanced by the sun.  Minor snow transport up on the windy ridges.