Snowpack

Observation: USA Bowl

Rob J. Lacey S.Salt Lake
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Quick report

Red Flags
Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Dug a pit on SW aspect of USA bowl at about 9800', slope angle of about 23*. HS 93cm. Performed compression test with the following results:</p> <p>CT3 Q2 @ 86 (overnight snow)</p> <p>CT11 Q2 @ 55cm</p> <p>CT18 Q1/Q2 @ 25cm (failed at the PWL)</p> <p>All of the CT fractures were RP, and the one at 25cm saw the column shift about 2mm downhill before arresting.</p> <p>Avoided most east aspects, but found some wind slab at about 9800' while moving from Willow Fork to USA bowl; seemed to be about 1.5cm thick. Only localized cracking where our skis busted through, nothing that propogated.</p> <p> </p> <p>No large cornices around USA bowl that we saw, but plenty on the west side of Willow Fork on East aspects.</p>