Cole Bowl

We went to the Cole Bowl area to check on facets after recent loading from snow and rain. When we arrived, the storm front already moved in and snowfall was accumulating fast; 1-2inches per hour. Our objective today was to look at  NE/E aspects and the persistent weak  layers within the snowpack. We dug one pit on a NE aspect at  8100 feet and had propagation within our ECT 45 cm down, ECTP27. We traveled about a mile away towards an E facing slope at a slightly higher elevation. Travis was there first, and as I approached, he heard and felt a collapse underneath him from my weight getting closer.  We performed three more Extended Column Tests 50 to 100 feet apart from each other within this zone. The aspect changed slightly from NE to E in this location. Each ECT propagated on the same layer approximately 40-50 cm down, and was likely the surface facets buried on Jan 31st. The facets in one pit were very dry and very loose. The other two pits had slightly moist facets that still propagated, and wet facets at the ground that were weak and loose.  During this time, the snowfall continued, adding up quickly covering our snowmobiles and gear. 

We triggered a collapse that sounded like it propagated far, and we could feel the snow drop 1/4-1/2". Four Extended Column Tests all propageted on facets down 40-50cm