Observation: Turnagain

Clear
Calm winds
No precipitation
15°F @ 1,000’ 10:30
10°F @ 2,000’ 12:00
21°F @ 3,000’ 13:00

Widespread surface hoar from 800’ to 3,050’ ranging from 2-4 mm.
From 800’ to 1,500’ a breakable but stout .5" to 1" crust exists which thins out with elevation.
From 1,500 to 2,000’, sheltered slopes present soft, light, low density upper surfaces for great turns.
From 2,000’ to 3,000’ surfaces vary from wind loaded ridges and convexities of medium density to semi-breakable wind slab surfaces, with some exposed ridges having fully scoured ground surfaces.
Ski/Boot Pen: 15/40cm @ 2,130'

Our focus was to see the reactivity of the 12.1 melt-freeze crust/ facet sandwich.
Tests at both locations showed moderate strength and no propagation propensity with fair stability overall.
The facets above the 12.1 crust seem to be more developed in shape and size (sharper edges), compared to the minimal facets below, in addition to only receiving results on top of the MF crust layer. Though the crust was reactive in small columns, large column results of 2xECTX, ECTN showed a bit more strength, compared to recent instability tests in Summit Lake.
I’ll add that when finished with each test, easily pulling on the isolated columns produced a sudden collapsing failure on the 12.1 crust. 

The basal facets also appear to be rounding/healing with decomposing depth hoar becoming harder to find.
The rime crust, now 1' below surface is still present, and though not producing results, is easy to see, as well as being sandwiched between an upper wind slab, and mid to lower, stiffer snowpack.
*See Snowpilot for instability results*