November 5
observation
Travel was in upper Big and Little Cottonwood from 8-10+k. Total snowpack ranged from 30" to something over 40". Snow early in the day at the starting elevation was somewhat inverted. That decreased with elevation gain and settlement.
Weather was... snow, heavy at times, throughout the day. Winds from the wnw increased somewhat in the afternoon and were moving snow. Localized cracking was noted in that drifting as was scouring on the windward side in exposed terrain. Surface sluffing on angles over 35°.
Hand pits produced an easy shear within the new snow about 8" down and a moderate shear near the ground at the interface between snowfall yesterday and today.
Ski conditions improved during the day, mainly due to settlement.
Brighton to Catherine pass
Dog Lake chute
I'd expect good skiing in the a.m. with better visibility and settled snow, dependent on the speed of the currently forecast northerly wind.
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