March 11, 2006, Heather/Skyline Ridge

Arrived at the pass to pretty strong winds coming from the east. Our plan was just to head up to the Hwy 2 overlook area just above the lake. The powder was pretty much 2' deep the entire way and there weren't that many people out today. At about 4400 feet (S aspect, 26 deg slope), I dug a small pit and found the upper 18-20" were powder before you hit a HARD layer (last storm cycle surface, I guess).

I did 2 shovel shear tests and both times the columns of snow would budge at that 18" depth as I finished inserting my shovel at the back of the column. I also did a tap test and the column began moving with the first full arm tap.

At our highest point on the dividing ridge between the front side and the back side, the wind was REALLY ripping from backside over to the frontside. We made quick work of our lunch and headed back down to glorious powder turns.
Turned out to be a nice day with the sun eventually coming out.

There's still plenty of untracked to take advantage of..