Observations from Becker Peak

Very isolated and minor roller balls were the only signs of instability observed on Becker Peak today. At noon, S aspects at 8,500' held 1 to 2 cm (0.5 to 1 inch) of wet snow on the surface. Some signs of minor amounts of recent wind transport onto S aspects, but no wind slabs were found. On N aspects, warming and surface wet snow was limited to a narrow elevation band between 8,200' and 8,350'. Colder, dry surface snow was noted both at higher and lower elevations. This narrow band of warming is believed to have been caused by the boundary layer of the recent air temperature inversion conditions. No surface hoar was seen in this area today. Ski cuts on several steep convex N and S aspect slope features produced no signs of instability.

A testpit was dug on one of the lower steep convex rolls just above the lake (noted lat/long) to examine the Jan 12 rain crust which exists below 7,500' in some areas. No evidence of instability was observed in this pit. HS was 200 cm and the Jan 12 rain crust was located 50 cm below the snow surface. Test results targeting the top of this crust were ECTX, CTN, and PST 100/100. No signs of near crust facets. Recent storm snow was well bonded to the crust.