Observations from Freel

Pic 1: Current 5mm SH forms generally laying down under increasing SW winds, but provided a good indication of where previous SH may have been recently buried. Mitt pits and hand shears were innefective at locating the recently buried SH, but shovel tilts made the layer more visible from 2cm to 7cm from the surface. Several shovel tilts from 7,600ft to the highest observed current SH at 9,300ft failed to produce planar results, with Q3 shear quality. All buried SH observed today had already collapsed.

Pic 2: E/NE aspect at 9,300ft, Knife hard rounded polycrystals (previously basal facets) wetted and refrozen from recent rain event.

Pic 3: Basal facets remain dry, angular, and weak (Fist hard) on E/NE aspect at 9500ft. 3mm grid.

Pic 4: Recent R3D2 natural avalanche (cornice fall) on NE aspect of Freel with start zone at appx 10,400ft. Slope was previously windloaded on basal facets. Shallow (10-30cm) but wide (300m) crown produced up to 1m debris. Heavenly ski patrol reports that this occured sometime between sweep on 02/03 and opening on 02/04, and that rapid warming was observed late on 02/03. Note skier mid-frame for scale. Crown and debris extends beyond frame looker's right.

On cold, mid elevation slopes, the snow just above the rain crust was slightly angular, but hand shears and compression tests failed to produce results. No signs of current instability were observed today. SH forms were observed on cold slopes from 7,600ft to 9,300ft, and NSF on cold slopes from 9,000ft to 10,800ft.