Rubicon Peak Observations

A tour on Rubicon Peak this morning showed us that the 2 inches of most recent storm snow in this area is assimilating to the old snow surface on both N and S aspects. On N aspect terrain we encountered moist surface snow above 7,600' and moist to in places wet surface snow on sun exposed, low angle N aspects below 7,500'. In all areas the recent new snow was bonded to the old snow surface below.

Where we were able to see S aspect snow surface conditions on micro terrain features, the most recent new snow was fully wet and in melt phase. The wet snow sat on top of the melt-freeze crust from before the most recent snowfall. As refreeze occurs tonight, this will fully assimilate with the older melt-freeze crust below.

On the N side of the summit rock outcrop, we saw minor amounts of drifting snow from moderate speed NW winds. There was no significant wind drift accumulation and no new slab formation where the drifting snow was depositing.

Looking across to Crag Peak, its SE face had only very limited amounts of natural rollerball activity.