November 27, 2005, Mazama Ridge

Sunday Amatta, Nadia, Chris, Doug, and I drove up to Paradise for a day tour.  After a few minute wait the Longmire gate opened around 9am.  Doug and I arrived a bit before the rest of the gang so we went up the trail a little bit to dig a pit.  

The pit was on a South facing 30 degree slope.  The top 6-8 inches was pretty light density snow.  Below that was a 5 inch crust layer above consolidated mush.  We did not get any significant results from shear and compression tests.  This seemed to be because there was a fairly good bond between the new snow and the crust, the crust was a little sun-cupped, and the new snow was not substantial and unconsolidated .

Once gathered together, we headed up to Mazama Ridge to make some turns.  Despite the fact that we could see most of the mountain during the drive up, we were in the clouds most of the day.  The turns off the ridge were pretty good.  Some fun, some a little chattery depending on which areas were a little wind affected.  In the afternoon, the clouds lifted a little and the visibility got pretty good.  That did not suck.  All and all it was a darn good day.

Seth