Quick report
Our avalanche course observed variable surface snow conditions and blowing snow at ridge lines, just as forecast in the avy report. At around 4,300’ on an east aspect, hand shear tests indicated a shallow, reactive slab above the ice crust. We investigated further while practicing snow pit observations at this location. Compression tests showed sudden planar fractures on a 4-finger-hard layer of facets down 25cm, with a 1-finger-hard layer above and an ice crust below. Easy to moderate taps were required to cause a fracture. We performed one extended column test that resulted in an ECTP12 (fracture with propagation on the 12th tap) down 25cm, on the same layer of facets. This layer may have had some graupel mixed in. By the afternoon, the wind was ramping up from the north and blowing snow plumes became very large. The sun did not seem to soften the snow much. The floor of the ravine still has lots of boulders protruding, and we settled for skiing the fire road. A group nearby reported a large wumph near the base of South Gully
Weather
- Air Temp
- 20
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts