The snowpack has gotten deep and the odds of triggering a slide have been decreasing. We measured almost 6 ft of snow in many places above 9500 ft.

It was easy to find the old snow surface from late January when temperatures hit 60 degrees F in the valleys. On many slopes there is an ice crust with facets under it. On one open, NW facing slope at 9700 ft, we found a layer of surface hoar from late January. I am unsure how widespread this layer is. It produced ECTP21 which is a reasonably high number given that it was just buried by such a heavy load of new snow. Time will tell if we find more surface hoar and/or if it produces any avalanches. My initial hunch is that it may not be an issue, but I won't bet my life on it just yet.

Photo 1 - Shows the stripe in the snow where the surface hoar layer is buried

Photo 2 - close up of the surface hoar crystals.

Photo 3 - hand hardness of the new snow and the result of my extended column test.

Ice crust with facets did not produce any propagating failures in my ECT's on SW and SE facing slopes.