December 29
Willow Heights, McDonalds, Dutches, Beartrap
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7800-10200', angles over 35°, all aspects
Snow conditions
There was an inch of dense, mostly graupel, new snow at the trail head with another inch or so additional at upper elevations.
Story of the day was the rain.
Lower elevations were saturated to the ground, snowballs easily formed on the shady side to around 9k.
South facing had a supportable surface from crusting of the rain all the way to the ridge.
Off aspects and north facing had a thin fragile rain crust either on the surface if windward or buried under the new dense snow on the lee side.
Shallow wind drifting was found at mid and upper elevations with several small collapses experienced on the old surface faceting.
Ski penetration was variable 3"-12", boot penetration to the ground in many areas.
Weather
Overcast skies, occasional graupel, mild temperatures. Wind was from the west, gusting to over 20 mph, decreasing.
Snow pit
Evaluation
Dense new snow and rain have added a cap over faceted snow. Wind added some drifting.
Weather guessers suggest continued mild temperatures, wind and a little more dense snow so...
I'd expect some drifts to be active on steeper slopes.
Cooling(not seeing it forecast) would create a stronger cap over current weakness at upper elevations, seizing up lower elevation soggy snow.
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