Various observations from National Geographic Bowl

Today our AIARE 2 course gathered a variety of observations. Solar aspects on all elevations underneath steep rock features had signs of loose wet avalanches (none bigger than D1), and all solar aspects showed signs of warming.  On Northerly aspects, we saw multiple D1 loose dry avalanches at and above treeline on slopes steeper than 40*.  Surface hoar (5mm) was observed on all aspects above 8500' @11AM, and these feathery crystals were still present in the afternoon above 7700 on shady aspects. We took a look at the buried facets @8300', N aspect,  they were showing signs of rounding, sintering and consolidating in this area. 

There was 2-3" of new snow in this zone, sitting on top of a melt-freeze crust.