Soft Snow Above 8100 ft. on Rubicon

Below 7400 ft. on Rubicon very little snow coverage existed and slopes were mostly dirt and rocks with a dusting of snow. Between 7400 ft. and 8100 ft. snow coverage increased but many obstacles remained exposed. In this elevation band, the snowpack consisted of a few inches of ice with 1 to 2 inches of snow on top of it. Above 8100 ft. snow coverage and snowpack depth increased dramatically. By 8600-8800 ft.  6 to 8 inches of soft unconsolidated snow existed above a thick supportable rain crust on the sheltered aspects. In the wind exposed areas some wind affected snow existed with a few patches of icy crusts exposed. While the winds remained light in this area we could see a plume of wind transported snow off the summit and north shoulder of Dicks Peak.

Snowpit data on Rubicon Peak showed the snow above the 12/15 rain crust is facetting and becoming less cohesive. The rain crust measured almost 15 inches thick and was very strong. The snow below it continues to refreeze and consolidate. Tests did not reveal any signs of instability below the rain crust.