Observation Treeline Test Profile

Dug at the last Christmas trees on west facing treeline knob of Observation peak- normally a very wind-scoured shallow spot. Sun was out for the first time in days: 10-15cm of new snow quickly became moist over the crusts formed following peak heat /rain on March 27th with the recent storms. Foot and ski pen is shallow above these crusts. Our tests all cut through the crusts. Somewhere around the treeline / alpine interface these crusts will become too weak have any bearing on snowpack strength.