"Dust on Crust" and "Crust on Crust" on Schallenberger Ridge

Skinning into Schallenberger Ridge we noticed a variety of conditions. In the trees, a mix of firm and breakable crusts and "tree-dropping-affected" surfaces existed. On the more open N-facing slopes that were somewhat sheltered from the NE winds, we found 1-3 inches of soft cold snow resting on top of firm rain crusts. Near the ridgeline or on any slopes scoured by the NE winds breakable crusts existed on top of more crusts. Any aspects that trended a bit more W or E had sun crusts on the surface and the southerly aspects were still frozen this morning. Those open N-facing slopes with "dust on crust" conditions provided the best travel options. 

Near the top of the ridge, we found an open N facing slope to take a deeper look at the snowpack and dug a pit to the ground. The soft snow on the surface still has a small layer of graupel sitting on a rain crust at its base. That rain crust sits on a thin layer of softer snow with another crust below it. These layers will bear watching to see what happens to them before the next time it snows. Below those near-surface layers, a well-consolidated snowpack exists.

We did see some roller balls on some steep slopes near rocks from previous days, but we did not see any current signs of warming instability during our morning tour.