4/18/06- Ski Acres Snow Pits

Did a quick post work tour at Snoq Central under sunny skies. Lots of wet slides on steep slopes all the way up the pass; all moderate slopes looked alright. Toured up "Alpine" and dug two pits (both N slopes, 20-25 deg). First was lower (around 3200') and in the sun, top 2-3 inches of slush "failed" at wrist taps. Snow pack was then 6-8 inches of metamorpho'ed snow, a solid rain/freeze layer, then 12-? inches of very consolidated sinter, no failures after solid shoulder hits. Second pit was higher (3700') in the shade, serious breakable crust, then results as per previous. Skiing was pretty marginal, with moosh and breakable crust alternating.