Quick report
We toured up Tincan to an elevation of 1520ft, where we dug profiles on a WNW 20 degree slope to practice assessing the persistent slab problem. The skies were clear, there was no precipitation, winds were calm, and the temperature was 32F. The snowpack ranged from 230-260cm deep, and we found the problem layer (the Feb14 SH) buried down 75cm. It was sandwiched between strong snow layers above and below (1F>P), and Compression Tests produced repeatable significant results (CTH SC down 75cm on 4-20mm SH x3). Our results verified the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab that was reported in the forecast. We stuck to our conservative travel plan in low angle terrain. We noticed some rollerballing and small (D1) point releases occurring on steep, sunny slopes in the late afternoon. *As has been noted in other observations, the results from our Extended Column Tests (ECTNs x2) proved unreliable. Recent avalanche activity has shown widespread propagation potential, and we prioritized the feedback from the avalanche activity over our test results.
Avalanche
We observed the fresh crown of snowmachine triggered avalanche on the Seattle Ridge Headwall, which is detailed in the CNFAIC's observation.