Level I class obs

Obs from a 3-day AIARE Level 1 up at the GNPG yurts:

• Numerous tests were performed ( CT, ECT, PST ) most all were unreactive with a few exceptions such as CTM14@20cm down and CTH28@20cm down.
• There was a funky ice lens ( 1 cm thickness ) at 20 cm down that was about a week old ( as close as we could figure ) with little or no faceting above but a small amount below. Atmosphere was fairly isothermic but a 3 degree c. temperature gradient was observed between 10 cm and 20 cm down so one could anticipate an accelerated faceting process going on there. At 30 cm down snow temps were consistent on down at minus 5 degrees c.
• We skied slopes up to 28 degrees with no consequence although there was definitely weird noises coming from the surface. It also talked to us while touring but again nothing beyond that. The persistent problem we were all concerned about earlier in the season seems to be slowly disappearing and becoming less of a concern. One group dug a pit to the ground and checked out the crystals and there was indeed a noticeable difference since the previous look we got 3 weeks ago.