Near surface and near crust facets on Waterhouse Peak.

N and NE aspects traveled today on Waterhouse peak. Poor coverage below 8,300', improving dramatically above 8,500'. Faceting of recent storm snow was observed across all elevations traveled on N-NE aspects between 7,720' and 9,490'. Above 9,000' recent storm snow became deeper (up to 45 cm) and was notably less faceted. At 9,400' the 12/15 rain crust was poorly developed at 5cm thick and P- hard. At lower elevations this crust was substantially thicker and K+ hard.

Faceting was most pronounced between 8,300' and 9,000'. The largest facets appeared to be driven via the melt-layer recrystallization process with 1-2 mm reasonably well developed facets directly on top of the rain crust. In the remainder of the recent storm snow layer, radiation recrystallization was driving near surface facet formation. These near surface facets were smaller and less well developed than those directly above the crust. This was especially the case between 8,300' and 9,000'.

Very little evidence of storm snow settlement seen in the form of cones around trees. Above 8,500', HS easily exceeded 1 m. Good skier supportability was provided by the 12/15 rain crust especially where felt below 8,500'.