November 7
Gobblers Knob
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200-10400', angles over 35°, north and west facing aspects
Snow conditions
Skiff of recent snow at the traihead. New snow amounts didn't increase much to the summit. Skiable snow line is around 8500' on shady aspects. Total snowpack ranges from 15 to an optimistic 20". Rain-rime crust is variable in thickness and rests on an inch or less of lighter density snow.
Weather
High clouds with winds gusting to 15 mph plus or minus along upper elevation ridges from wsw. Moderate temperatures.
Snowpit
Evaluation
Stable snow.
The upper rain crust will probably not be a factor in future instability. It has no underlying layer to collapse on. The lower crust, formed prior to the little late November storm, is quite stout, although dissolving from below.
Well developed facets just under the lower crust will result in collapse failure when loaded. Because of the strength of the lower crust, I suspect the currently forecast 8-14" by Tuesday, will not be enough for widespread activity on wnw facing aspects in the area. It may well be enough to initiate instabilitiy on other aspects in Millcreek, especially those with wind driting.
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