Observation: Girdwood

Started at Crow Pass Trailhead with skins on at the parking lot at 10:45 am. 1°C . Skinned up Jewel Glacier Creek below Jewel Mountain to the Col near the high point of the Glacier.

-Steady wet, snowfall with 5-20mph winds until 3,500 ft near the Jewel Glacier creek approach. 20mph winds were consistent with 30-40mph gusts at times
-whumphing, shooting cracks in wind-loaded areas (W/SW Aspect).

– Consistent Wind-slab layer from 3,000 to 5,000 ft of 8-10cm

– Visibility 30-100 ft sporadically.

-Conducted two (2) CT:
14:06
4,970 ft
N/NW Aspect
-5°C
29° Slope
HS 185-205
Precip: 2.5cm per hour
1. CT 12 Q2 (35cm from surface, 4F)
*further testing showed CT 14 Q3 at suspect ice/crust weak layer at 57cm from surface.
2. CT 12 Q2 (35cm)
*CT16 Q3 (57cm)

Skiability:
-Heavy, dense , sticky in most areas from 5,000 ft to 4,500 ft but powdery inconsistent wind slabs were common.
-Near whiteout conditions from 5,000 ft to 2,800 ft.