Snowpack and weather observations from Shirley Canyon

Went for a tour starting from Shirley Canyon base, staying out of avalanche terrain.

Temperature: below freezing. Snow was light to moderate, heavy at times. Wind was light with a few moderate gusts.

Tour ranged in elevation from 6200-6600'. Stuck to low-angle terrain, but observed no shooting cracks or signs of avalanche activity.

Dug a snow pit on a northeast aspect at 6600', slightly wind loaded. Observed: 170cm total snow on the ground, 90cm of new snow was right side up (weak over strong).

Bottom of new snow was moist. Below new-snow interface, several strong-over-weak-layers.

Performed an extended column test - no propagation observed during 30 loading steps (ECTX)