AST1 Course

Conducted my last AST1 course for the season for Jasper Hikes & Tours today. Despite the warm and sunny forecast, it remained cloudy all day with temperatures starting off at -12C and rising to just above 0C in the parking lot. Strong NW ridgetop winds were observed to the N of the Bald Hills area but winds locally remained light from the SW-NW, keeping the surface snow cool and dry. A generally weak and facetted snowpack was observed in our snow profile with large depth hoar crystals visible at the bottom of the snowpack and widespread surface hoar (4-8mm) on the surface in sheltered areas throughout the Bald Hills area (did not obs. the ALP). See results below: 2150m, N-facing, 28 deg. HS 70cm CTE3(SP) dn 8 on FC ECTN3 dn 8 on FC * Of note, there is a brazen Pine Marten in the parking lot that is getting into people's vehicles. Parks has been notified but until they get to it, keep your doors shut!