Snow and weather observation from the sherwins

Went for a morning tour in the Sherwins today and found a wide variety of surface conditions.

Ski crampons were quite helpful along our ascent which consisted largely of supportable wind board or refrozen and well-used skin tracks. Periodic probing highlighted a snowpack ranging from about 1 meter to 1.5 meters deep and the presence of weak faceted snow near the ground. Exposed areas near the ridgeline were quite firm and slick albeit edge-able wind board with quite a bit of wind-sculpted sastrugi. More shaded areas below treeline were a bit more variable. Old tracks abound and are keeping things interesting, but our steady flow of cold and clear nights is breaking down old surface crusts and providing a nice layer of faceted soft surface snow, making for quite enjoyable turns. This new layer of weak unconsolidated snow may prove to be problematic if and when we see another substantial winter storm but for now, there is still enjoyable riding to be had if you know where to look.