Broken and scattered clouds throughout day created a calm surreal light. Not a breath of wind and perfectly 20 degrees.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan Common
AGC Private L1 class of Slaydies and Rob, toured up Tincan Common uptrack to the top of common bowl. Watched four people walk on the gigantic cornice above Hippy Bowl and it held (thank goodness)! Beautiful calm day with no red flags or signs of instability.
Weather
Snow surface
Yesterday's snow and wind had filled in all the tracks above treeline. About 6-10" of dry powder. 2-3mm surface hoar noted at 2200' but not above that. On the ridgelines, about 5" of new overlay the wind hardened snow. Cornices were ginormous (see photo) above Hippie Bowl but held the weight of a new bootpack witnessed today. Great ski quality. Cross loading and wind patterns were evident across all the south face.
Snowpack
Dug four pits on S aspect at 2200' on a 13 degree slope. Though we found the freezing fog crust (all ECTN's moderate) and New Years Crusts, in general it presented like a right side up snowpack. HS: 265 avg. Though found many areas at same elevation over 300cms.
Hippy Bowl Cornice looking pretty massive these days!
Purty rightside up snowpack
2-3 mm surface hoar growth above treeline
Rob really getting his head in the snow for a closer look at ski quality...