Observation Date: 01/05/2020

Route/Location:
Toured up NE ridge of Ward Mountain to the summit and skied the same.

Weather:
Intermitent sun and thin cloud cover. Increasing west wind above 8000′ with gusts in excess of 25 mph near the summit. Very little wind below 8000′. No precip.

Wind:
Snow transport was evident above 8000′.

New Snow: 6-12″

Avalanche Activity:
We did not observe any recent avalanche activity. Occasional cracking while skinning up, but nothing very alarming. No collapsing of the snowpack was observed.

Other Comments:
As we skied down from the 9100′ summit, we stopped at 8200′ to dig a pit. NNE 20 degree slope. 170 cm total snow depth. Upper 25 cm – fist density. Very nice skiing conditions were enjoyed on this low-angle route.

All test depths given in cm from ground:
CT 5 Q3 at 145cm – new snow interface
CT 14 Q1 at 100cm – crust/buried surface hoar layer
CT 15 Q1 at 40cm – top of depth hoar

ECTN 14 at 100cm
ECTN 16 at 40cm

Observer: Joshua Phillips