Bow Summit

The avalanche forecast was at Level 4/High, so we skinned in on the summer trail to the first saddle, dug a pit in a sheltered area at treeline and skied out through the trees. No open slopes or open trees. Out ECT result was ECT18N@50. Other than that, we observed no other signs of instability.

intermittent light snow, becoming heavier as the afternoon progressed. Ground level visibility was good with low clouds. I don't have information about snowfall prior to my visit to the site.

ECT18N@50cm Prior to the fracture I had detected no difference at 50 cm visually or with a snowpack hardness test with my hand. Except for about 20 cm of very soft, fluffy new snow, the snow pack had appeared uniform from top to bottom with only a very thin layer of facets at ground level. I’m not sure how to report the boot penetration. I think my boot would’ve gone to ground except my leg is not 135 cm long. Absolutely no resistance to boot penetration until I reached hip level.