Observations from Lincoln Ridge

Sheltered near and below treeline northerly aspects still held several inches of cold soft unconsolidated snow on the surface in this area. Exposed E-NE-N aspects in near treeline terrain had been scoured by east winds. Evidence of small wind slabs existed on the SW side of the upper ridgelines, but ski kicks and tests on these wind slabs indicated that they are starting to bond to the softer snow below them. Cornices lingered over some of the N-NE aspects as well but dropping small-car-sized pieces of cornices onto a test slope did not trigger any signs of instability. Below treeline sun exposed SE aspects held thin breakable sun crusts and sun affected snow. surface hoar up to 2-4 mm in size was noted on some shaded slopes, but in places with any sun exposure this surface hoar was quickly being destroyed.