Andesite Peak

I toured on Andesite Peak today examining storm slab instability on NE-E aspect terrain both above and below treeline in the 7,200' to 8,200' elevation range. I measured the depth of the newly developed snowpack in this area at a little over 5 feet deep in a wind protected area at 7,500'. The snowpack was ski supportable with around 20 cm of ski penetration. Steeping off skis on boots yielded full leg post holing. The top 3 feet of new snow was F hardness at the surface and mostly right side up 4F to 1 F hardness below. With the snowpack in this area newly formed, there are lots of deep, open holes in the snowpack near creek beds and other ponding areas.

High intensity snowfall ended in the area around 11 am this morning. Off and on, mainly light snow showers were observed from 11 am to 1 pm. Strong SW winds kept blowing and drifting snow ongoing throughout my tour. My skin track in near treeline and above treeline terrain was filled in with drifting snow and erased after about 1 hour.

I examined several wind loaded areas and test slopes. I triggered snow surface cracking in only some of these areas. Where I did trigger cracking, it was short at 3 feet long or less. I performed a ski cut on wind loaded test slope above treeline with no results. An ECT on this same slope produced ECTN results on a surface slab 1 foot thick.

Short cracking triggered in some but not all wind loaded areas.