Ain't where it ain't

Went hunting for the buried surface that observers reported in the backcountry near Whitefish Mountain Resort and Noisy Basin.  We found:

• No buried surface hoar in numerous pits in a northwesterly facing bowl. It was clear that Saturday's winds had impacted this area and trashed any surface hoar before burial.   
• The 2/23 interface consisted of near surface facets, stellars, and decomposing fragments, about 12" to 18" deep.  It produced stable results in extended column tests.
• No signs of instability except for some minor rollerballs below 4,500'.  Cloud cover prevented the snow surface from warming at mid and upper elevations.  
• Given our thorough assessments, we felt comfortable riding steep slopes one at a time.