General Observations

Lutak Zone: Early season conditions with trace amounts of snow above 2000′, 10-15cm total depth and decent surface conditions above 2500′, 30cm+ total with melt-freeze layers and a surface rime crust above 3000′.

Valley fog in the morning up to 1500′ otherwise clear calm sunny skies. Sun at mid-elevations packed a punch melting ice and rime from trees. Solar aspects definitely have the potential for early season sun and melt-freeze crusts.

Dug 55cm down to the ground at 3500′ on a west aspect. There were several hard melt-freeze interfaces in a mostly cohesive block. At the surface was a breakable rime crust that sat over 10cm of softer snow that could become a problematic layer with a future load. Refrozen small grain facets over mountain heather at the base.

A couple punchy spots around rocks. Saw an old storm slab about a foot deep on a steep un-supported slope that released around rocks most likely from the 10/20 storm cycle.

***Lookout for rocks and other buried hazards and knee-twisting breakable crust!****