Toured up into the Apgar range today. Evidence of atypical wind activity high on the ridge (i.e. above 5500’) as well as lots of fresh snow (approx 17cm). No obvious signs of instability (whoomphing or shooting cracks), and pit test results supported our hypothesis (of course they did, confirmation bias is real) that the storm snow was the threat to watch for. The storm slab gave with light force (5) but was not consolidated and did not propagate. About 30cm of snow gave with moderate force (17), somewhat consolidated but again, without propagation. We found evidence of the Groundhog Day crust (about 6cm thick) but without facets above or below. There was evidence a bit lower (5300’), and on a slight convexity (slope angle approx: 30-35) of something to be wary of, but again, the snow was not consolidated and it sloughed as chunks rather than as a slab. Winds were out of the northeast, 10-15 mph. Temperatures around 10F. Snow fell until about 1pm when the sun made its best effort to show itself.
