Stevens Pass (Heather Ridge) - 11/29

Started about 8:30am up the road which climbs towards Heather Ridge.  Dug a small pit around 4800' on an east aspect with about 25-30 degrees of pitch.  Snow was more stable than I expected.  About 16 inches of unconsolidated, very dry stuff on top from the day prior.  Below that, about 6 inches of uniformly firm (1-2 finger) stuff, followed by a more sugary layer below.  No noticeable break from a shovel test.  Likely would have had one with a steeper pitch.  Didn't notice the buried surface hoar I had expected below the recent layer.

Skiing itself was not great.  Skiied both the NW and E aspects off of the ridge.  What snow there was was extremely dry and light, but inadequate.  Still need another 12-24 inches to cover up the bushes and rocks.  They are easily avoided (didn't hit anything unexpected), but just limit the options.

I will avoid Stevens until it gets another good dumping, at least.