Snow pit near Crater Lake

A group of us toured up to the east slope above Creater Lake (below Stevens Peak).  The weather was a mix of cold to moderate with winds shifting from none to 20mph.  Occasional snow showers consisting of graupel.  The snow was heavy and made for extra effort skinning up as well as skiing down.

We dug a snow pit (see attached profile) on the east side above Crater Lake (NE aspect, 20' slope, depth was 220cm).  The compression tests triggered a few Sudden Planer collapses in the upper layers.  The shovel shear test required some effort but broke in a deep layer.

We did not see any signs of avalanches.  But there were obvious signs of wind loading.