Rogers Pass Lite

'Ski the Boosh' is still an apropo motto below 5500 ft. We spent the day on NNW aspects in the NRC Gullies in the Flathead Range. The snow surface (and hence skiing) was variable from previous shifting winds. We were protected from today's wind. We observed:

• Recent avalanche activity across the drainage - 3 small to medium sized (D1-D2) across drainage on ESE aspects.
• Cracking of wind slab (8 inch) on steep rollover (see image).
• Faceting of sub-surface snow and surface snow in protected areas.
• Wind slab sitting on top of weak soft snow at upper elevations. 
• In gullies, hard wind slab extends down to about 5500 feet from cross-loading.