January 9
Bowman-Pole canyon-Alexander basin
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6400-10k, angles over 40°, west, north and east facing aspects
Snow conditions
4-6" settled snow over a variable base, mostly crusted.
Snow was wind effected at upper elevations, scoured, drifted and wind pack.
Off the ridges, soft and creamy.
Ski cuts through wind drifts produced surface sluffing only.
Rime lingers.
Weather
Partly cloudy in the am, increased clouds obscuring the summits mid day, partly cloudy pm. Wind from the northwest gusting to about 15 mph along the ridges.
Snow pit
Digging on northwest facing Baker Springs area at 9k.
Found the rain crust in place about a foot down. Preseved 6mm surface hoar over several inches of small grained facets under the crust.
Easy shovel shear and compression, Q1, no propogation on facets below the surface hoar.
Evaluation
Stable snow in the area with surface sluffing on the steepest ne facing slopes.
Wet activity with warming possible.
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