Observation: Pioneer Ridge

Powder

Dense Loose

Total snow height on SE facing Green Slope at 10,000ft was 60cm/24in - about half the depth of N facing upper LCC. Consolidated storm snow w/ a well preserved graupel layer at the ground. Hard compression test results failing at the ground/graupel layer with poor energy. Roller balls releasing off rocky areas by 11:00am. 10,000 ft snow surface temp at 11:00 was -6.5C/20F. Given the direct solar heating and long wave radiation loss, there is some potential for radiation recrystallization resulting in near surface faceting. That's my theory, anyway. There was surprisingly little wind loading on S facing shots off the Pioneer ridge.