Quick report
Went up to inspect the situation with our persistent slab problem. The 4/4 layer was found to be 50+ cm deep in the area. No sign of instability associated with persistent slabs was noted in the area. Pit tests produced no notable failures. Although observations are pointing to increased stability, there is some uncertainty regarding this problem. Spatial variation throughout our area could result in some locations being more susceptible to persistent slab avalanches. The combination of buried crusts, facets, stiff slabs, and increased temperatures in specific areas may heighten the chance of triggering a persistent slab.
Roller balls and small human-triggered wet loose slides on 38-degree Southerly slopes.Weather
- Air Temp
- Near 32
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Wind Loading
- none
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Warm, calm, and sunny to start the day, with some clouds coming in from the S in the afternoon. Recent snow accumulation of 10-15 cm at high elevations. Ovenight surface hoar formation to 4mm on upper Girls.
Snowpack
A test pit at 5200 feet produced no failures (ECTX) with an Extended Column Test. The 4/4 interface was found at 55cm and was rough planar. The interface consisted of Decomposing Fragments. No facets were observed at this location.
Shovel/Hand shears on Girls Mt at 5800 feet were Hard with a rough shear on the 4/4 interface. The interface consisted of Decomposing fragments and scattered small faceted grains.
Sun crusts on solar aspects were providing a bed surface for slabs that released earlier this week. Recent snow that became wet with solar input was also actively sliding on crusts in the area.
Avalanche
No new avalanches, but got a good view of several slabs that released earlier this week in the area. These persistent slab avalanches all appeared to have released on old sun crusts.