Variable Conditions on Carpenter Ridge

We went out to Carpenter Ridge to look for wind slabs and any evidence of the buried surface hoar layer. Yesterday, warm temperatures with light mist/rain left a substantial breakable surface crust on all aspects and elevations. Wind slabs gained additional strength from what we observed yesterday with no signs of instabilities at this location. We dropped multiple small to medium sized cornice chunks on a wind loaded slope with no signs of unstable snow.  Snow transport has been mostly shut down with surface snow either wet or crusted over. 

We dug 2 different snowpits to look for the buried surface hoar layer that has kept the persistent slab avalanche problem in the forecast. We were able to find the buried surface hoar at both locations. On an N aspect at 8650', we got ECTP-15 and ECTN on the buried surface hoar. This layer was a mix of 4-6mm surface hoar and graupel. At 8700' on a NW aspect, we found 8-10mm surface hoar that was laid down flat. This area had a ECTN along with a CTH with sudden planar results. This buried surface hoar continues to be highly variable throughout our forecast region.

Winds were gusty and strong from the SW keeping it cool along ridges. Surface snow became wet and soft by 11am in direct sun and out of the wind.  Lower elevation snowmobile access to this area is melting out quickly with areas of dirt and rocks on lower roads.