Winds and new snow up high, will be loading leeward aspects.
Observation: Summit
Location: Manitoba
Standard route to Manitoba, a short section of bushwacking due to exploring an unfamiliar zone, then the NW Ridge to the summit.
Observer Comments
Weather
Stormy.
Consistent precip of varying intensities all day, rain/snow line observed to be a little above 2000'. Blowing snow once on ridgeline coming from N-E directions
Snow surface
Wet Mashed Potatoes. ~20cm ski pen.
Snowpack
~45cm snowpack above 2000` in areas unaffected by wind. Handpits around 2500' on the W face revealed 2 shearing planes within the snowpack, about 20cm down, assumed to be new/old I, and 25cm down on dry small facets.
Stepping above ski tacks, we were able to get the upper wet snow to shear off.