Quick report
- Collapsing
- isolated
Dug an isolated column to ground on an east facing slope, at about 7400'. Snow depth about 80 cm, with about 10cm loose dry on the surface and consolidated dry snow the rest of the column with no obvious layers in the column. With wrist taps the column appeared to settle a few mm at the ground surface. Lower arm taps fractured the consolidated dry snow column, with no shearing on layers. Lifting and turning over the column revealed 3-5mm facets at the ground surface. Overall, the bonded snowpack was stable. At about 4000' there were 2-3cm surface hoar crystals in the morning. Between 4000-7400' the snowpack was mostly dry and firm with about 10 cm dry and loose on top. Less consolidated around small trees between 4500-5500'. Some surface crust 5500-5700'. Some of the most vile bushwhacking that I've done on skis. On south aspects snow appeared to have been through several melt freeze cycles, except within 5m of a ridge crest where the snow was chalky, consistent with cold air flowing from the east side of the crest. Weather was clear overnight and about 20 degrees, with scattered clouds during the day.
Avalanche
Ski cutting triggered 10 cm deep loose to blocky, 2-3m wide sluff on 45 degree slope, starting 2m below a ridge with a 2' cornice at 7400' on NE aspect slope. Slide slowed when slope decreased below 35 degrees and stopped within 20-30m slope distance. No entraining of firm dry snow below loose surface snow.