Near Surface Facets on Powderhouse Peak

We still found some areas of soft unconsolidated snow on the surface on Powderhouse Peak on sheltered northerly aspects. This unconsolidated snow provided good conditions as a surface layer. However, when we tested it to see how it will handle a new load, the tests indicated that it is weak and may not support much new snow on top of it when it gets buried. Below the surface, snowpit data showed good bonding in the snowpack. As we neared the summit ridge of Powderhouse, winds increased and we found some blowing snow. We also found a few of the small isolated wind slabs but none of them were more than a few inches thick nor did they extend away from the ridge for more than a few feet. Ski kicks on these isolated areas of firm wind packed snow also did not trigger any cracks in this area. Later in the afternoon, the weather started to change and more clouds and wind moved into the area. We also noticed some very light snow showers starting around 4 pm.

Photo 1: Increasing clouds and some light precipitation over the Sierra Crest in the late afternoon.

Photo 2: ECTX when testing the lower layers of the snowpack.