Tunnel

Spent the day skiing along Tunnel Ridge. 

• Strong west/southwest winds (20 mph gusting to ~40 mph) throughout the entire day, with snow transport depending upon aspects.  We stuck to a north/northeastern aspect and observed far less wind and less snow transport.  We observed far more snow being transported on higher peaks/ridges and western aspects.
• Most of the region we skied had roughly 8-10" of fairly unconsolidated snow above 5800' and up to 20+" in some areas.
• Temps held below freezing throughout the entire day above ~5,500' elevation.
• Performed one ECT with no fractures (ECTX). 
  • Slope ~ 28deg, HS 350cm; northeast aspect, 6,700'.
  • First noticable layer (buried surface hoar) at 65 cm down; next layer at 100 cm down was a 1.5 cm thick rain crust (see photos).  Neither layers reacted during the test and only fractured when pulling the column off with a shovel under force.
• Overall, excellent snow and great skiing while surprisingly being able to avoid the high winds