5"

Low

Powder

50 cm total snow at 8,000 ft. A lot less than further north in the Bear River range. Top 10 cm new snow, fist hard Next 10 cm melt/freeze crust, pen/knife hard Next 10 cm very weak, 5-finger/fist hard. Not faceted, but snow grains about 2mm in size. Bottom 20 cm, 1-finger hard It took a lot of force to kick a pole, ski, or boot through the melt/freeze layer. Shovel test failed unenthusiastically at 22 at the interface between the melt/freeze crust and weak snow below. The crust layer just slouched a few inches. Extended column test also failed unenthusiastically at 22 on the same interface. No propagation. The melt/freeze crust just broke in half. No other signs of instability while climbing or skiing except when catching skins and skis on brush, branches, and poorly covered stuff.