CAIC Observation Report

Snow depth in this area was 265cm deep. Test pit dug 140cm. There’s around 30-40 cm of new snow from the most recent storm. 3 layers of concern stand out; a layered in the upper 40-50cm has new snow plus areas of wind loaded snow sitting on top of near surface facets. The next layer is the Feb 10 layer which has a heavy slab, primarily made up of rounded, cohesive grains, sitting on top of a MFcr with rounding facets directly below. The final layer of concern is another, much deeper MFcr, again with faceted crystals directly below. No reaction, on this aspect to an Extended Column Test (ECTX) but there was reaction on the Propagation Saw Test(PST48/100END on the Feb 10 layer), meaning we can’t rule out a persistent slab avalanche problem yet.