Flagpole Peak Observation

Toured on Flagpole Peak today looking for soft snow and checking in on the winds. While there was still fun snow to be found, the variable word is becoming more appropriate in describing conditions. In a relatively small area we found very firm melt freeze crust, soft uncohesive cold snow, fresh wind deposits and some firm wind slab. Winds were consistent enough to keep temperatures cold and we left before much day time warming had occurred on sunnier and lower elevation slopes which is where I would anticipate it possibly being significant today. While some small wind slabs were forming near the ridge much of the blowing snow in this area appeared to be blown hard enough into the air that it would disappear before returning to earth. More northerly wind protected terrain contained soft uncohesive snow. 

Photo 1: Open east facing slopes around 7000 feet had a completely supportable crust at 9:00AM

Photo 2: There were several large old wet loose slides on and adjacent to Flagpole. At the time I took this photo there were plumes of wind driven snow swirling around the summit and over the old wet loose debris. 

Photo 3: On a more NE aspect at about 7500 feet there was still nearly a foot of cold powdery snow. 

Photo 4: Looking towards Ralston.

Photo 5: The winds were strong near the summit and blowing moderate amounts of snow.

Photo 6: The SE side of this generally E facing gully had evidence of previous wet loose activity that ran for nearly 1000 feet.