Paola

Toured into the Middle Fork to assess today's avalanche problems and the "state of the snow surface" prior to this weekends forecasted precipitation.

• Above 6000', up to 10" of low-density surface snow caps older unreactive wind slabs formed from recent east and west winds.
• The Persistent Slab snow structure was noted at low and mid elevations but we only had Propagation at a low elevation pit.
• Fresh wind slabs were non-existent where we traveled.
• A deep snowpack ~ 80" was found above 6500'.
• Facets are forming on the snow surface below 5000' with surface hoar above that. On sunny aspects, these weak layers were getting beat up by today's sunshine.