Obs from Donner Summit

Toured half-way up the west face of donner summit to make some snow and weather observations. Light rain and strong SW winds at old ASI trailhead at 1330 along with 30cm boot pen. As we toured up, winds increased on ridgeline as well as a decrease in temperature and decrease in boot pen. Digging in snow we found a well consolidated rightside-up snowpack. F-4F top 15cm, followed by 1F-P rounds and crusts. Overall ski quality was very poor, and on 35+ degree test slopes we were easily able to trigger loose wet avalanches (D .5) .