Quick report
Our AIARE 1 Course found increasing slabbyness of the surface snow as we ascended the mountain. At the tree line (4,000’) below the Lower Snowfields, we observed crown lines and wind pillows above. At this site on a NE aspect, we dug into the snow as suggested by the forecast. Our snowpit location may have been in an isolated pocket of wind slab. Test results showed surprising sensitivity, with compression tests failing on easy taps, resulting in sudden planar fractures down 22cm. Our one extended column test resulted in a fracture with propagation on the third tap, down 22cm. In all tests, the weak layer was a 4-finger-hard layer of decomposing fragments of snowflakes. Seeing these results and observing the wind pillows above, we opted to change course in search of more stable conditions. The Little Headwall had less reactive snow and was a great alternative objective. Just don’t fall into “It’s” lair.
Avalanche
Crown lines were observed from a distance in locations including the Lions Head Summer Trail, and the slopes below Duchess.