Binding-Deep Pow

Went to the Essex area to look at surface conditions at all elevations before more sun and warming over the next few days, and to dig some snow profiles on multiple aspects at upper elevations.

• We found loose, dry, low density snow on top of a melt-freeze crust at all aspects and elevations.
  • We found an inch of new snow below 6,000 feet. There was 2-3 inches between 6,000 and 7,000 feet. Above 7,000 feet we found 4 inches. We got no sluffing in the new snow either skinning up, or skiing down.
• The crust under the new snow is thickest and most supportable on south aspects and below 6,100 feet on north aspects. It's thinner and breakable above 6,100 feet on north-facing slopes.
• Under the crust the snow is moist or wet on south aspects, and on north aspects below 6,100 feet. It's dry above 6,100 feet on north-facing terrain.
• We found soft wind slabs on the ridgeline at 7,500 feet. These were deposited on south aspects from the north wind yesterday, and they rest atop a slick melt-freeze crust.
  • They were up to 2 feet thick but did not stretch down the slope past the ridge. Though we did get some cracking under our skis.
• We had poor visibility all day because of mostly cloudy skies and snow showers. But, we made out half a dozen recent, small wet loose avalanches that likely ran over the weekend. They ran mostly from upper elevations and were covered by the new snow.
• The top 2 inches of snow was getting moist and we got tiny rollers from out skis on north aspects below 5,500 feet on our descent.