JSC - Mt. Furlong

\\Few additional obs from the John Stevens Canyon - Mt. Furlong.

• Walked into an Avalanche Forecaster at the end of the day.  So, read their obs.  Just a few additional points.
• Big temperature swing from yesterday.  2F in the am and 27F upon return to the car.
• Calm winds in the canyon bottom, increasing as the day progressed with strong ridgetop winds.
• Overall there was less snow in the canyon compared to say the Essex area from the past two storms.  4" to 16" overlying the 2/1 rain crust.  As noted, we didn't find the 2/5 freezing rain crust. 
• Winds from the previous night and day showed signs of being from an easterly direction.  During our tour winds increased from a westerly direction, strong ridge top.
• We did notice that available snow for wind transport was a bit limited due to the fact that the surface snow had consolidated from the previous day.  Developing hard slabs along the ridgelines and exposed areas.
• We found good skiing on east and north (see picture) aspects off the top of Furlong, where the wind had not affected the snow.
• We skied steeper terrain, 35*+ with no signs of instability. some minor sluffing that only ran a short distance.
• North westerly aspects that were exposed were less desirable, soft wind slabs made skiing challenging.  Some surface cracking within the top 10" on several density layer changes.
• Lot's of old avalanche debris made for some surprises hidden under the snow surface.  See picture of large pieces of cornice from the previous avalanche cycle.