Old Ski Bowl/Gray Butte

I toured the road to Old Ski Bowl and near the northeast ridge of Gray Butte today to gather the snowpack's observations before the next storm arrives. The snowpack remains barely usable at this time. The new snow has made the rocks and other obstacles harder to see and easier to hit. A pit dug on a north-facing opening near the base of Gray Butte measured 2.7 inches (7 cm) of new snow.  Below that, a thin crust covers 2 inches of weak sugary facets.  A thicker crust exists 5 inches down with various crusts and facets to the ground.  Areas with similar snowpacks, such as northerly near and below treeline slopes, should be watched as we receive more snow.  

Old Ski Bowl and Gray Butte  - R. Sorenson

TIME: 1300

SKY: Partly Cloudy

PRECIP: None - 2 inches previous 

WIND: Light out of the east on the ridgeline, calm in the bowl

BLOWING SNOW: No

AIR TEMP: 24 F at 8,000 feet 

SURF PEN: Ski - 2 inches (6 cm) Boot - 7 inches (18 cm)

HS: Variable few inches to 18 inches (47 centimeters)

HN24: 2 inches