Minimal new snow at Carson Pass

Cold and sunny day at Stevens Peak, with moderate NE winds. Although there were a few inches of new snow from yesterday, we didn't observe any wind transport today, and previously wind loaded test slopes did not produce results. 

We found an area likely to have the Jan 29th buried surface hoar layer (sheltered from winds yet open to the sky) and dug two test pits about 15ft apart from each other. In one location an ECT propagated after going beyond the 30 loading steps, and in the other the SH was unreactive. On a more exposed slope higher in elevation and more representative of an avalanche path, new SH was observed on the surface but not found buried.

On slopes except the most shaded, there was a crust covered by yesterday's light and cold snow. Facets were observed just under this crust. In some places it was a double crust, with facets between the crusts and below them. Although conditions were right for faceting above the crust, we didn't observe them today.