The PoW Factor

Punched into the Prince of Wales Range today on a hunch that lake effect brought more snow here than elsewhere. We were chuffed to be proven correct with 40-50 cm on the January 12 crust. The PoW factor also brought some unexpected test results. We dug test profiles on north and south aspects to get a good read on what seems to be a persistent slab problem, at least locally. Our extended column tests both propagated cleanly on the 15th tap, failing on a thin layer of faceted snow immediately above the crust. A ski cut above our skin track managed to reveal the issue too. (See photo) Given yesterday's benign results at Elk Mountain, we're led to conclude the problem may present itself where sufficient snow (probably more than 30 cm) sits on the crust but even then we think you'd need some terrain factors (steep, thin to thick snowpack, and/or disconnected snowpack) to line up for this layer to release an avalanche. Something to look for before committing to your big line in avalanche terrain!