Observation Date: 12/01/2019

Route/Location:
Lolo peak

Weather:
Blowing and 25F at ridge top, 15F at mid elevation.

Wind:
Enough to transport snow. 10-20 Mph or so.

New Snow: 3-6″

Avalanche Activity:
None seen.

Other Comments:
Dug a quick shovel shear pit at 8800′ on a NE aspect above Carlton Lake. Two prominent ice layers with underlying facets, one about 14″ above the ground and the second at 21″. Total snow of about 28″ but highly variable. A few inches of facets at the ground to round things out. The layer at 14″ releases with energy. My guess is the top ice layer was what was holding the snowpack together for now. Stronger words could definitely be used for the pit but I’ll call it pretty poor with sugar flowing from the snowpack as I dug the sidewalls. I have very poor confidence in the short term stability as we get more snow.

Coverage was variable but not bad. Skiing was variable, everything from powder to crust to sastrugi. You can find pockets of good snow and have a good time.

Observer: Ian M