Light Winds and Cold Snow on Ophir Peak

We toured up to Ophir Peak today out of Tahoe Meadows.  We dug 2 different snowpits at different elevations to monitor the Dec 12 rain crust.  One location was below treeline in protected terrain (8700') and the other was right off the peak in above treeline terrain (9200').  The rain crust was found up to the top of the peak at 9200'.  Near surface faceting is starting in the upper surface snow and surface hoar was found at both locations.  The rain crust did not show any current weakness at this location with no concerning snowpack test results.  

Previous wind scouring and wind loading occurred at this location with W and NW winds Sunday and Monday.  Snow surface scouring was noted along exposed ridges with some areas scoured down to the firm rain crust.  NE winds were generally light today with no blowing snow observed on the higher peaks in the area.