I managed to get above the cloud layer today for some blue sky and - TopicsExpress

I managed to get above the cloud layer today for some blue sky and powder from 2400m. Tengupara has 40cm ski penetration, which is unusual, but probably meaningless to most. Norikura was boot to knee deep with body shots, even a few face shots. Totally non-wind effected light dry loose powder over a hard windslab. Of course the clouds closed in just as I ripped the hides for my first run. And it remained that way and snowed lightly all afternoon. It is not an easy area to ski in half a white out with flat light. Solar aspects below 2000m took on a dose of heat when the clouds broke and formed a cohesive warm layer over a dry loose snow. It is now sun-crusted. At treeline and below the solar aspect snowpack is settling out rapidly and poor quality. Look out for holes and tree wells with a lot of unconsolidated snow over vegetation, if you fall through, youll go down deep. The ski down from Tengupara is a scrubby thrash as usual for early season and not recommended for snowboards.