None observed
Standard uptrack on Seattle Ridge to 2800′
None observed
Clear skies
light NW winds with a few gusts in teens along ridge
Cold! 10F
No precip
1000' - 1500'- 7" settled low density faceting snow with tiny (~3mm) surface hoar on top
1500' -2300' - 4-8" of low density faceting snow
Above 2300' - Variable surfaces: Sastrugi, firm wind drifted snow, and exposed melt/freeze crust
Very thin!
Below 1700' - 7" of Fist hard faceting snow; chained 2-3mm facets on the ground and near surface facets on the top.
1700'- 2300' a thin and intermittent melt/freeze crust well bonded to the ground gradually gets more consistent and thicker (~2") with elevation. 4-6" of Fist hard facets was sitting on the melt freeze crust. This was on the the SE side of Repeat Offender which is protected from recent NW winds. *We hiked down from this elevation due early season conditions and exposed rocks.
2300' - Variable, thin, and wind affected! Along the upper ridge there is a stout melt freeze crust mixed with sastrugi and some isolated firm wind slabs (2-4".) In protected places 4-6" of low density facets on the crust were found.
Seattle Uptrack as seen from 1600', SE aspect
4" of faceting snow on 1/2" melt-freeze crust on SE aspect at 1700'
Wind hammered surfaces at 2400' on Seattle Ridge
A 2" melt freeze crust well bonded to the ground below at 2100', but with 6" of loose faceting snow on the surface
Looking South into the top of Zero Bowl (aka Mama's Bowl)
Looking West into Zero bowl where it drains into Seattle Creek
Looking North towards Jr's and Pyramid
View of Repeat Offender from 2200'
Repeat Offender from 1700'
Tiny surface hoar was found in the lower elevations growing on loose faceted snow