Observations from Forestdale

Traveled along Foresdale Creek, which is low angle terrain ideal for surface hoar formation - as indicated by new SH on the surface. Several shovel tilts and 1 formal profile failed to identify SH buried intact. Cutting steep rollers produced no results. I followed a reduced exposure route up into wind loaded terrain (pin drop), where 3 ECTs produced mixed results in wind slab over lower density snow. The recent crusts were 80cm from the surface here. 1x ECTP down 50cm, and 2x ECTN with partial propagation. Also no buried SH observed here. I did not cut steep slopes near the pin drop, as none were appropriate test slopes with low consequences.

Pic 1: Near pin drop, surface texture indicating previous wind transport. 3x ECTs near here produced mixed results.

Pic 2: Surface hoar on the surface. Located throughout meadows and low angled terrain, and even up into typically wind exposed terrain (no wind today).

Profile: I did this on a shaded, wind sheltered slope on the edge of a meadow, and still couldn't find buried SH. Interesting that the recent rain and wet snow isn't showing here as 1 thick layer, but as several crusts separated by dry snow.