Jan 16, 2012, Snoqualmie Pass Area

Don Brooks met me at the summit for a moderate day of touring.  Essentially we hit west slopes from about 5500 feet to 3500 feet.  Strong west winds were in the process of scouring the first few hundred vertical when we arrived at the top, and our turn around spot.  (wouldn't feel safe on the steep lee side of the ridge)  Soon below that, however, the snow was light and deep enough to float above the crust that we all know so well by now.  As reported, steep trees have an annoyingly small amount of new on the crust (maybe, up to 6 inches at times).
Otherwise it was truly a hero powder day!  The foot or more of new was so uncohesive that we couldn't get anything but a few semi-strong sluffs going on the steepest slopes we could find.  The crust was definitely textured where we were.  Sluffs would stop on lower angled slopes in their own deposition.  Great day!  Thanks Don.