Lassen Peak NW face

After seeing potential for a foot or more of new snow forecasted I decided to drive up to Lassen from the Sierras. Starting from Manzanita lake, the road had about 2 inches of soft dry snow, great for skinning. I made my way below the Chaos crags where a small D1 avalanche was observed on the leeward side of a corniced ridge running perpendicular to the W/NW face. I traversed well below the face and towards the NW face of Lassen. Ski penetration averaged 3-4" during my approach to treeline. The face had a mix of sastrugi as deep as 8" and exposed ice. The ice would have been perfect for climbing with crampons, alas I didn't bring them. The sastrugi and ice bands became a little too difficult to kick steps in around 9500'. I descended with soft dust on crust turns after some ski cuts on the leeward aspects of the ridge dividing the face. Skins were not required to return to Manzanita lake.

• Observation Location: Lassen Peak NW face 
• Elevation: 9500
• Date: 20230418
• Time: 1100
• Observer: Public 
• Sky Conditions: Clear from 0830-1000. Weak storm system started moving in after 1000 obscuring view towards Manzanita lake and beyond.
• Current Precipitation: 
• Air Temperature: 12 °F
• Surface Penetration: Ski penetration (PS) = 1-4 in (2.5-10 cm), boot penetration (PF) = 1-6 in (2.5-14 cm)
• Total Snow Depth (HS):
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 4 in (10 cm) average
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W):
• Wind Direction: NE,E,SE
• Wind Speed: Moderate (M), through the forest. Strong (S), 26-38 mi/hr, on the face and ridgeline above treeline 
• Column & Block Tests: