Running a couple of AST1 Courses at Bald Hills right now for Jasper Hikes & Tours. We had numerous LW avalanches along the Maligne Rd (sz 0.5s) with one kissing the edge of the road observed on the way out this evening. Temperatures remained below 0C for the course, but freezing levels were 1800m with moist snow to 2000m. Rain fell along most of the Maligne Rd. today.
Precipitation amounts were less than 10cms over the last 24 hrs. Winds were light SW with moderate ridgetop winds. We were surprised at how calm it was as well as the lack of precipitation compared to the forecast.
HS85 at 2100m. Dug a pit on a NE slope and had the following significant results:
SSE dn 38 on Dec. 7 FC
CTM11 (SC) dn 85 on DH/FC
No significant results from our ECT.
Although we were able to located the Dec. 7th layer easily with a shovel shear test, we were surprised that we didn't get any results on it from either the CT or ECT. Snowpack is generally weak and unsupportive with a 20cm layer of DH/FC at the bottom of the snowpack.