New snow and strong winds in the Middle Fork

Toured in the Middle Fork to evaluate the sensitivity of wind-loaded slopes and further investigate the distribution of buried surface hoar and near-surface facets.

• Up to 6 inches of new snow overnight. 
• We experienced blowing snow at mid and upper elevations from moderate to strong S-SW winds.
• We dug on a variety of aspects at mid elevations to evaluate buried surface hoar distribution.  We found it on a sheltered, north-facing slope.  We had propagating results here, 30 centimeters (roughly 1 foot) below the snow surface. 
• On all aspects at middle and upper elevations, we found a buried facet layer 30-40 centimeters (12 to 14 inches) below the surface. We had propagating results with moderate force on this layer as well. 
• We found soft wind slabs forming on wind-affected slopes. Slabs were 4 finger to 1 finger hard.  
• We were able to cause localized cracking on wind-loaded test slopes.  None of these cracks propagated beyond the length of our skis. 

A poor snowpack structure and recent skier-triggered avalanches kept us away from steep start zones at middle and upper elevations. We did however find some quality steep riding at low elevations where a slab has yet to form.