Went looking for a buried graupel layer and couldn't find it. Got an ECTX on a relatively sheltered SW aspect. Right side up snowpack throughout the pit, with a crust layer at the ground. Despite this, and many test slopes refusing to slide, we still avoided steeper terrain. Graupel, which observations noted in spades at the beginning of this storm, is notorious for spatial variability and we didn't want to push it until we found where it had pooled. There are some days where it's just not prudent to try to prove the snowpack innocent- and better avalanche scientists than I were able to find this suspected instability. Fortunately, more terrain will open in the coming days as the graupel has time to bond to the surrounding layers.

Some gusty winds from the W/SW noted at various times. Plenty of cornices indicating wind from the south on the ridge between grizzly and silver fork. Smaller terrain features in griz had cornices in many directions, including one which indicated northerly winds. We did not trigger any wind slabs on suspected test slopes, but I'm sure they were around, particularly on northerly/easterly aspects below ridgelines. Another situation where it's best to let the weather observations set the forecast and stick to safer terrain.