Weak Snow Pack on Hector South Peak

<p>Very poor snowpack in this area. Dug a pit on an apprx. 30 degree, lightly-treed, SW aspect at 2260 m [51.5400, -116.2536]. HS: 135 cm with the bottom 60 cm of the snowpack consisting entirely of depth hoar and basal facets. CTE6, sudden collapse, failed 75 cm down on the basal facets. Due to the compression test results, the strong solar radiation and warming to apprx. 5C at 2260 m, and numerous other parties in the area, turning around and skiing back to the truck was an easy decision to make (but really unpleasant as there was only about 40 cm of snow near the highway).</p>

Terrain Ridden

Dense trees, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes, Sunny slopes, Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Crusty, Wet.

Weather Conditions

Warm, Sunny.