Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2469 m
- Slope Angle
- 27°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Still some red flags out there as the snowpack is settling in with the new snow from earlier in the week. We saw some cracking and on several occasions you could feel the faceted week layer that is still present form the November drought.</p>
Our route took us to the top of Monte the out to Lightning Ridge. For much of the ride we saw anywhere from 12 to 18" of powder. Underneath that was a cohesive slab which our sleds hooked up (good traction) for most of the day. However, on the cold, shaded, northerly slopes you could feel the week layer of facets under you sled and it was tough to get traction. This seemed more prevelent at lower altitudes. The higher altitude, the better, for a good base.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Through out our route we encountered anywhere from 12 to 18" of new snow adding to additional weight to a slab which is all resting on a week layer of facets at about 2' above ground level.</p> <p>The November drought layer (which turned to facets) is still alive and reactive at about 50 cm's or 20" above the ground. We ran a extended column test that resulted in ECTP25. I.e 25 taps on the shovel head to initiate a collapse and propagation at about 65 cm's down from the surface. </p>