Snowpack

Observation: Bellicosity Bowl

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Quick report

Aspect
North
Red Flags
Wind Loading, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comment
<p>N and NE aspects: 12" slab on 6" facets, collapsing, slab on facets</p>

Hiked to Bellicosity to look at coverage and access the snow. Coverage in the bowl was thin, even for cone flower skiing. The bowl had received a lot of wind loading and was likely wind jacked. Heard several collapses while approaching the bowl. Dug a pit 100 yards skier's right of bowl on a 38 degree slope. During column tests, a 12" wind slab failed on the facets with 8 taps from the wrist.

Skied lower angle terrain in the area and over to S. Fork of Cottonwood and found better snow on more protected slopes.

Bellicosity

Looking out across the bowl from pit location. The early season line is not in the photo but has similar coverage.

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Winds off the ridges and down slope created heavy slab on top of facets. </p>

12" 4 finger slab on top of 6" of facets.