Quick report
Our avalanche class observed conditions that were right in line with the forecast today. Probing with ski poles and hand-shear tests indicated a right-side-up snowpack, with a hard ice crust from earlier in the week located about 20cm down. Below the lower snowfields at about 3,900’ we practiced snow pit observations. The snow appeared to be damp all the way down into the crusts. We did three compression tests, all resulting in CTH, with resistant planar fractures down 20cm. The weak layer appeared to be small facets that were sitting on the midweek ice crust. An extended column test showed a fracture but no propagation on this same layer (ECTN25). It appears that Duchess may have avalanched earlier in the week, as the lower part of the line suddenly looks more full. We then climbed about 2/3rds of the way up Hillman’s Highway and made enjoyable turns in corn snow conditions. March is often one of the snowiest months on Mt. Washington, so I’m hoping this is just a false Spring!