2024-12-01 Gorge

leggettrobert1313 , Monday 2nd December, 2024 9:15AM

Extended column test at 1900m elevation in tree line, north-west facing aspect. Temp -2 to -4, overcast. Some warming lower down with slightly heavier snow, powdery up top. The total snowpack depth was 145cm. Well consolidated with slightly more compact layers at 35cm below surface (110cm up from ground) and 60cm below surface (85cm up from ground. Failure observed at the 35cm below surface layer after 24 hits (four hits from shoulder). Failure did not propagate across the extended column. The snowpack felt very stable. We did not witness and instability in the snow pack throughout the day. We rode steep, north-east and north-west facing aspects. Some hoar frost noticed crystallizing on surface at tree level during skin up.