Talking Mt Observartions

An abundance of very soft uncohesive snow on shady aspects near Talking Mt. Some melt freeze crusts present on solar aspects, but even under these very soft near surface facets lingered. Lowe Echo Lake is still totally unfrozen, making travel in this area a bit more challenging. 

Photo 1: This small mound on the approach ridge held very soft surface snow on the shady aspects but a thin breakable crust on the solar aspects. Beneath the crust similar very soft snow (NSFs) was present.

Photo 2: Stomping on small cornices on the ridge produced small breaks that didn't produce much excitement.

Photo 3: In more open areas, some wind slab was present. This was sitting on top of 20cms of very soft snow (NSFs). 

Photo 4: The wind slab was very easy to remove and expose the soft SH and NSFs below. I was just able to make out longer crystals that appeared to be the 12/4 SH layer that was mostly laying down.

Photo 5: Despite the thin wind slab, ECTs did not produce propagation. Ski cuts on small test features also did not produce results in this area.