Snowpit and Observations from Castle Peak

Fairly wet heavy snow found in upper snowpack, with noticeable density change in upper 10cm of snowpack.  Pit was dug on East aspect at Castle Pass on small test slope that was not wind effected.  We skied Western aspects off Castle Peak.  During tour we encountered evidence of wind loading on North aspects, including minor cornice formation.  Approaching and stomping on minor cornices on small test slopes produced small cracks (up to 8 feet in length) and isolated wind slabs falling off cornices.  However, wind slab failure from cornice stomp would not propagate further down slope.  We avoided the North bowl due to wind transport, and Western aspects were largely not wind effected other than cross-loading on minor terrain features with a more Northern aspect.  Heavy wet snow and foggy day.