Our tour started from Geyser Pass Road and our approach followed the standard track to the base of Gold Basin. Our intention was to assess overnight accumulation and enjoy a few laps lower in the basin and potentially reach the proper Gold Basin at 11,200'. Overall, we conducted 2 hasty test pits while topping out at 11,200' with plenty of untracked turns to be had.

Weather

25-27*F

Calm winds at and below TL, moderate NNW winds

Few to Scattered clouds in AM trending towards Broken by PM.

No Active precip during day. Graupel accumulation present in microdrainages and microterrain in wind sheltered regions 10,400' and up.

Snow surfaces consisted of 1-2cm of low density accumulation below 10k' and 2-4cm at 11k'+ in wind sheltered terrain. The S/SW/SW aspects are still harboring a 1-2cm P MFcr that is falsely supportable in areas and could remain as a hazard to downhill travelling or a bed surface in the future. Graupel was still deposited in many microfeatures, terrain traps and micropockets (ski track, pole basket holes, rock outcroppings) and could also potentially be buried in the near future. Recent wind has affected upper gold basin over the past two-three days (covering skin tracks, scouring, toppled surface hoar, exposing rock/talus), but surfaces are still soft and only exposed apex's seems to be stiffened (1F-4F+). Skiing conditions are semi predictable by surface texture though the occassional shark (rock) could be lurking beneath in shallow depths.

Test Pit:

Gold Basin, 10,900', NE, 34*,11:30 HS 175cm, PF 40cm, PS 15cm

CT14 RP down 40cm on density interface F-4F-1mm rounds

CT24 SP down 95 on 1-2mm facets 4F-