Wind transport and dry surface snow

Chose Peak 6996 due to: observation of wind slab development in the John F. Stevens "wind tunnel", reactivity and distribution of the Jan 9 rain crust and state of the Thanksgiving/Dec 17 crust facet combo.

• 2-3" of low density surface snow was noted at the trailhead (4500') and up to 10" of low density surface snow at upper elevations.
• A supportable crust was found at low elevations with the 1 cm thick January 18 crust extending up to ~6000'.
• The January 9 crust was found at mid elevations but was absent in my pit at 6700'. This crust was reactive and propagated in my mid elevation pit with hard force (ECT 27)
• The Thanksgiving/Dec 17 crust/facet layer still exhibited a poor structure but the facets were strengthening (4F) since my last visit 19 days ago. 
• Previous and current wind transport observed at mid and upper elevations. Slab was up to 16" thick but was still soft and did not have enough energy to produce anything more than minor cracking under foot.
• Cornice growth observed at mid and upper elevations from west/southwesterly winds.
• No recent avalanche activity observed nor did we notice any shooting cracks or collapsing.