Showing graupel from ground level. In a NW facing quick pit at about 25 degrees on my way up Great Western at Brighton at just above base elevation of 8,800.
Pit dug on a SW facing slope at 35 degrees. Observed the same transition from graupel to 'right side up' storm snow as mentioned previously. On shear the column broke at the graupel layer (to the ground), but no earlier. Elevation would be just below 9500.
I dug a number of small hand pits and quick shovel pits on the way up from the base and observed similar results.
