Pipestone Bowl profile

Snow profile taken in the trees, just west of the main Pipestone Bowl at 2300 m. Note the presence of two easily identified surface hoar layers (Dec 13 and Jan 11). We did an Extended Column test and got no results (ECTX) and three Compression Tests with no result on the surface hoar. Interesting situation, because the layer is obvious, yet strong. Avalanche danger is rated LOW, yet these layers persist in the snowpack. This is a good opportunity to realize that even in LOW danger, these kinds of layers may exist in the snowpack although no recent avalanches have been observed on them, and they do not fail in snowpack tests. This is unusual for the Rockies. We currently classify these layers as dormant, although they have the potential to become active again with enough new load applied (not likely this week).