Wet snow on Elephants Hump above 8000'

     I went up to Elephants Hump today, when I arrived there was strong winds, it was lightly snowing and near freezing temperatures.The visibility at this point was a 1/2 mile at best. As I geared up and started moving the snow and wind was ripping across Red Lake causing snow tornadoes and lots of transportation from West to East through out my tour. I was the first one there in awhile as there was no tracks going up the road. At the beginning of my ascent I came across a steep slope with some small roller balls showing things were warming up. As I continued up I could see the ceiling level rise, visibility improved and could feel warmer temps moving in. The snow fall became more intermittent and variable as some periods of ice pellets would occur and then back to snow. The surface snow at this time was becoming more wet, sticking to my split skis and the top 3-4cms became wet and compressible above 8300' creating an upside layer as the snow was soft below it. Warming continued as I traveled back to my truck, I came across the same steep slope and the roller balls had double in size and quantity within the two hours I was in the field.  

During this tour I came across a VERY large debris pile below tree line that I will write a separate report for so look for it.