Powder Bowl - Mount Shasta

Today's goal was to assess the wind slab situation near and above treeline. I did not find any due to the rough wind-effected state of the snowpack, and I observed no other signs of instabilities. 

The main takeaways are listed below.

• Below treeline wind was calm
• Near and above treeline wind was moderate to strong with blowing snow
• Below treeline soft snow exists in protected shady areas
• Snow surfaces that have recently seen sun are developing a melt freeze crust
• Upper elevations host a variety of wind effected surfaces including, wind buff, ice glaze, wind brick and sastrugi
• In steep terrain with firm and slick surfaces, a slip and fall would be consequential. Ice axe and crampons are a must.
• The upper mountain remained capped in clouds

• Observation Location: Powder Bowl
• Elevation: 8,000 feet 
• Date: 2023.02.07
• Time: 1200
• Observer: E. Falconer 
• Sky Conditions:  Overcast (OVC)
• Current Precipitation: Type - NO 
• Air Temperature: 34 °F
• Surface Penetration: Ski penetration (PS) = 2 in (3.5 cm), boot penetration (PF) = 7 in (10 cm)
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 39 in (97 cm)
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): NO
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): NO
• Wind Direction: NW
• Wind Speed: Moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway | Strong (S), 26-38 mi/hr, whole trees in motion 
• Column & Block Tests:
  • Slope Angle & Aspect ([25]º, SW
  • ECTX