Quick report
My partner and I were both surprised by the results we had in our snowpack tests. At first glance, we wouldn't have expected to see propagating results on the 1/3 crust. After further testing and looking at the snow grains in and around the crust, it became more evident due to the layer of small facets.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 31
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- Not Observed
- Recent Snowfall
- 15-30
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Mild day in the mountains with mostly cloudy skies and the occasional burst of sun. Winds were light from the SW.
Snowpack
We dug our first snowpit on a West aspect at 7,660'. The height of the snow was 107cm, or just over 3'. New snow from the most recent storm measured 30cm or 1', sitting on top of a crust that was buried on 1/3. This was our layer of greatest concern, as we had full propagation three times, in the middle of the crust, where we observed facets. Two extended column tests propagated, along with a propagation saw test, on this weak layer.
To compare the snowpack on an adjacent NE aspect, we performed an extended column test, but didn't get propagation. On the NE aspect, the snow was all fist hard above the 1/3 crust. Our pit on the West aspect had a 4 Finger slab above the crust.