vitamin-d-ecember

Toured to 7400' in the Essex area to enjoy sun and tranquility in the alpine

• The likely suspect, surface hoar, was present at all locations (although small in size <5mm). Preserved in shaded and gladed (N/E), decomposing on sunny, exposed above 5000' (S/W)
• Winds were benign and temperature inversion present (above freezing @ 6000+), below freezing in the valley
• Surface snow became moist, shortly after noon, on sunny aspects (6000'+)
• Dense, dry powder (6-8") was enjoyed on N/E aspects at most elevations (namely below subalpine)
• Upper elevation, orographically driven winds had affected slopes, on all aspects, in the alpine from the previous week, thus, typical leeward slopes (N/E) were wind board or scoured, as were windward locations (S/W) Seeking good turns in the alpine isn't an easy chore currently, at least in our locale
• No signs of instability noted on our tour. However, a few loose, dry sloughs from Mondays snowfall were observed on neighboring peaks in the alpine