Date of Observation: 12/06/2015
Name: Dustin Eldridge
Aspect: North, North East, East, South East
Elevation: 9,600-12,000
Avalanches: Just saw the previously mentioned point-releases.
Weather: Cold start at the TH in the morning but temps quickly warmed as we climbed out of the valleys. Saw multiple point-releases from E-facing rockbands. West and Southwest winds became gustier in the afternoon and moderate snow transport was occurring on ridgetops.
Snowpack: Started climbing up E-facing slopes below treeline and found surprisingly deep snowpack in areas (up to 120 cm). Around 15-20 cm of storm snow sat on a very firm crust and snow was easily sliding on this interface. No evidence of slabbing or cohesion in the storm snow at any elevation. The N-NE snowpack around 11,600 showed a burly pack averaging around 150 cm of snow. The lowest spot found was 70cm in a more wind affected area and the highest was over 220 cm. Storm snow was 20 cm and more in this area and elevation. Snowpack felt rather consolidated and uniform throughout. The exception was on more westerly facing slopes that received a stiff wind slab from recent NW winds. Below this was 5-15 cm of softer snow with another stiff slab below.