Mid 30s at the highway and mid 20s on the ridge. Light to moderate winds from the north/northwest. Partial cloud cover in the morning and clearing throughout the day.
Observation: Summit
Location: Fresno
Standard Fresno up track. Skied a north shot from the peak. Skinned back to the ridge and then skied east bowl back to the highway. North run had 3″ breakable wind crust up high with softer snow in lower more protected areas. East face back to the highway skied lovely with light wind/solar effect.
Weather
Snow surface
Found a variety of snow surfaces with wind affecting areas on nearly all aspects, ranging from very thin to 3" thick. Light cold snow on protected north slopes. East face had some solar affect but still skied good.
Snowpack
Dug a pit on 30 degree easterly slope at 3900'. Snow height was 90 cm. Found the buried surface hoar layer 30 cm. down with a pencil hard 5 cm. crust sitting on top of 35 cm. of ground facets. Results: ECTN 23, 30 cm. down on buried surface hoar. CT 22, 45 cm. down on thick pencil hard crust.
Cornices and wind affect on the ridge.
Ground Facets.
Sunshine and pow.