We climbed up to around 8500' along the continental divide today. Above 8000' is a very weak snowpack. The snow consisted of almost all facets with isolated wind slabs on top of the faceted snowpack. Shady aspects were the weakest. In certain areas the sugar pile of snow would make self arrest near impossible if one were to fall. The wind slabs were not very reactive, but would break underfoot. We observed lots of old crowns and debris piles from the most recent cycle and crossed through one bed surface. The crown is seen above the red line in the photo. The ski back down to the car left something to be desired.
