Graupel grapple

Climbed into the clag hanging on the Swan Crest to see how conditions have developed after recent wind and snow.  

• Continuous snow above 4500 to 5200 feet, depending on aspect.
• Moderate to strong westerly winds at mid-elevations with moderate blowing snow near ridgelines.
• Windward slopes mostly scoured down to a hard, supportable melt-freeze crust. 
• With minimal snow available for transport, only small, thin drifts formed today near ridgelines. Cracking was limited. 
• A harder, older generaton of wind slabs exists below the most recent drifts or melt-freeze crust. Though travel on steep, leeward slopes was limited, these seemed to 4 to 10" thick. 
• On sheletered slopes, warm temperatures Friday left a supportable melt-freeze crust on the surface on all aspects at mid-elevations that is topped with today's inch of graupel and new snow. 
• Evidence of recent wet snow avalanches, and one hard slab avalanche or cornice fall in recent days, but nothing fresh.