A is for Apgar

We enjoyed a day off near the western border of our nation's eighth-oldest national park. This island range lies in the rain shadow of the adjacent Whitefish Range, which limits moisture from west and northwest storms. 

• Southwest and northeast storm systems have blessed this area with good coverage for late-November: 20" snow depth at 5000', with twice that above 6000'.
• We noted considerable cornice growth along the spine of the crest from westerly winds. These were not reactive to stomping, nor could skis penetrate these hard formations.
• Wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded slopes cracked under our skis but showed no other signs of instability. 
• Small-grained surface hoar capped up to 8" of dry snow in sheltered areas.