Gator hunting in the moat

Toured on various aspects in the middle-elevation "moat" hunting for surface hoar concerns. We found spatially variable results.

• Several pits on east aspects above Lost Johnny Road showed no buried surface hoar, no reactive pit results, and no other signs of instability.  However, the 1/17 interface, down 15", consists of a faceted rain crust which could be an issue with more loading
• Several pits on a northwest-facing slope showed reactive surface hoar up to about 5700' and but not above.  The surface hoar layer produced one shooting crack but no other instabilities on short, steep pitches.
• Winds increased this afternoon and were blowing snow at ridgelines.  Moderate snowfall rates through the day with a few inches of accumulation.  
• Snow surfaces are low-density stellar dendrites, which could be an issue with tomorrow's snowfall
• Minimal evidence of recent avalanche activity; some small natural sluffs today and a few debris piles from last weekend's storm.