Not so special

We traveled to the east end of our advisory area for my first visit this season. Our objectives were to observe the near-surface snowpack before the arrival of unsettled weather this week.

• Low-tide conditions were found at low and mid-elevation aspects, particularly those exposed to the wind and sun. Many of these slopes were more brown than white.
• Up to 3" of faceting low-density surface snow was found above 6000' on the south and east aspects we traveled.  
• This new snow caps the December 9 melt-freeze crust, which was found to our 6996' high point. 
• The crust thinned with elevation and was only 1 cm thick above 6400' and made for a sporty and loud descent. We counted our blessings between the surface obstacles and crust that neither of us walked away with anything worse than a bruised ego. 
• We noted light snow transport on the higher peaks and ridges in the area.
• No signs of instability, except for small skier, triggered sluffs in the surface snow.