Obs from Andesite and Castle

Beautiful day up on Castle/Andesite today. Ski conditions were interesting. South aspects did not soften as we were hoping, the cold temps and winds near/above treeline were the big factor in that. Surprisingly though, sheltered north aspects below treeline on andesite held some decent snow. 1/1 rain crust not as prevelant in this area. No signs of instability, snow pit on a NW aspect @ 8k on andesite showed a 190cm consolidated well bonded snowpack. We did find 1mm surface hoar mostly on north aspects in the area as well as some graupel from last nights trace amount of precip.