Quick report
During our observation we observed a potential week layer about 3 ft down in the snowpack. We performed an Extended Column Test (ECT) and Propagation Saw Test (PST). We saw little reaction, some minor cracking near the surface with no column failures, during our Extended Column Test (ECTX). Our Propagation Saw Test yielded similar results with a PST95/100 @85 cm meaning the saw cut almost to the end of the column before the column propagated. The westerly facing slopes, protected by trees, seem to be quite less reactive than say a North to SE facing slope, where the high winds and new snow have potentially wind loaded on those weak layers. Caution should still be exercised on or near the wind loaded slopes more than 30 degree angles. On the ride up, with the high winds and new snow, we observed wind loading on downwind slopes (N-SE slopes)
Weather
- Air Temp
- 28
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- intense
- Recent Snowfall
- 11
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Snowpack
The snowpack is showing signs of stability on the SW to NW slopes. Our test pit measured 130cm (51") in this location and ranged in hand hardness from Fist in the new snow towards the top, to almost pencil hard in the middle layers, to fist very close to the ground.