January 3, 2009, Gold Creek

Arrived at the sno-park lot at about 11:30.  Not too crowded, standard snow shoe dodging.  Picked a random well treed WEST facing slope +/_ 35 deg. off the ridge about 1.5 miles in on the main road towards the first lake.  Dug a pit at about 4000ft.  unconsolidated snow on top to about 8in.  Thin crust under that.  Soft snow to about 20in.  another layer about 2in thick, hard snow.  Soft snow to about five feet (stopped digging here).  First unconsolidated snow layer failed with shovel weight (not surprising).  Green light column underneath.  8 taps at full arm extension.  Didn't scope the grains, all looked small and uniform (ET). ;)

The ride was very pleasant when we could keep our tips up.  Tele turns were difficult on stiff skis.  Getting up after falling was hilariously difficult.