High winds first from the south on Sunday, then out of the north Sun night have had their way on the Plateau. We cleared 20 cm (8") off the Miller Flats board and total read 140 cm (55"). I measured 190 cm (75") up on the Big Meadow.
Of that 8" on the board, 6.5" was graupel capped with broken stellars. This combination was widespread in sheltered areas (see pit) but winds have done their thing on anything exposed. Skiing was almost like groomed ski runs with hard slab on hard slab on ..... You get the idea.
In sheltered areas snow capping new has settled on top of graupel and had a inverted spongy feel. In areas that wind have not blown the snow away I did find cornices that would crack and propagate, but remained shallow and confined to new snow from Sun night.
Typical for Big Meadow, layering between wind slabs and graupel layers were varied and in sandwiches. The good news is that layering has gained strength and will continue to with warming temps.
We saw no natural activity, but visibility was limited. Summit ridge was socked in off and on, but did see large cornices rebuilt on Wedding Ring Ridge with no activity in that area. With so much varied wind, wouldn't camp out beneath them, but judging from wind exposed terrain, these may be welded in place.
On and off graupel shower with spots of sunshine off summit ridges, 10-15 mph winds only at higher terrain. With warming trend, big cornices nothing I would mess with.
Sking is sheltered areas north facing on exit was best we had all tour.
Of that 8" on the board, 6.5" was graupel capped with broken stellars. This combination was widespread in sheltered areas (see pit) but winds have done their thing on anything exposed. Skiing was almost like groomed ski runs with hard slab on hard slab on ..... You get the idea.
In sheltered areas snow capping new has settled on top of graupel and had a inverted spongy feel. In areas that wind have not blown the snow away I did find cornices that would crack and propagate, but remained shallow and confined to new snow from Sun night.
Typical for Big Meadow, layering between wind slabs and graupel layers were varied and in sandwiches. The good news is that layering has gained strength and will continue to with warming temps.
We saw no natural activity, but visibility was limited. Summit ridge was socked in off and on, but did see large cornices rebuilt on Wedding Ring Ridge with no activity in that area. With so much varied wind, wouldn't camp out beneath them, but judging from wind exposed terrain, these may be welded in place.
On and off graupel shower with spots of sunshine off summit ridges, 10-15 mph winds only at higher terrain. With warming trend, big cornices nothing I would mess with.
Sking is sheltered areas north facing on exit was best we had all tour.
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