Today we checked the new snow and deeper weak layers at mid elevation on Fish Creek Knob. There was only about 2 cm of new moist snow. The surface layer showed good bonding to the underlying wet melt freeze, though the melt freeze itself had little internal cohesion.

The March 31 graupel layer was much less prominent here than in our other recent tests. In some spots it was not identifiable as a graupel layer at all. Instead, it was a softer layer of rounded grains. The March 31 layer did not fracture in any of our tests today.

Instead, all our blocks fractured on the deeper March 27 - 28 layer or the frozen melt freeze right below it, the same weak layer couplet as in the March 31 avalanche cycle. These layers were shallower than they were in our last few tests, only 37 - 40 cm deep at this lower elevation site. The shallower depth and less graupel in the March 31 layer may have combined to make the earlier, deeper layers the principal weakness in our tests today.

We got scores in the 5 (second, harder jump) to 6 (multiple jumps) range on 40°, all Quality 2 (average shears). Scores on the principal weakness were CAK6 Q2, RB6 Q2, and AK5 Q2.

So the snowpack still has two prominent weak layers, though they are not currently showing signs of instability or avalanche activity. Watch them if we get a major thaw or heavy loading, and watch the bond to any new snow.

Snow quality was decent above the 600 m snowline, damp but soft and fast. Below, the backcountry snow was thawing, softer, and wet enough to be quite sticky.

Eaglecrest's groomed slopes were definitely much better. Tomorrow is the final day of operation this season, get out and support our community ski area!