Freezing rain event in Ward Canyon.

We started our tour of upper Ward Canyon today at 7,150' and had a high point of 8,400'. On the entire ascent, we encountered a supportable surface crust just below the new snow, evenly distributed across all N-NE-E-SE aspects and elevations traveled. This crust was clear due to its formation by free water. It became apparent that this crust was formed by a freezing rain event at the start of the last night's snowfall.

On top of this rain crust was 1-2 inches of new snow. There was surprisingly little evidence of recently wind drifted snow or wind slab formation from the SW winds that coincided with the recent snowfall.

Very weak older near surface faceted old snow exists below this rain crust and new snow. This weak snow is now buried as a developing PWL, named the Dec 11 facet layer. Tests on this layer today produced sudden planer failures. Propagation was not observed due to the thin overlying slab. We anticipate future avalanche activity on this layer with additional storms in the forecast.