Professional Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Snow Stability

Key Points

-Widespread wind effected snow especially in exposed areas, along the ascent ridge, and even fairly deep into the forest of the Old Growth.  Ridgelines an windward upper elevation slopes of surrounding mountain more bare now then they were before this latest storm.

Wind scalloped tree wells even deep in the Old Growth forest

Wind stripped slopes and ridge lines

-Lots of hard dense snow along the ascent ridge, with isolated areas of sensitivity on small steep convexities where a small slab would crack loose with a heavy stomp (1finger hard snow ontop of 4finger).

-Storm slab appears to be settling and bonding well.  One pit dug at ~9,800′, north facing aspect, no propagating test results with ECT in upper 1.2m of snow. No cracking/collapsing experienced of storm slabs.

-Dug another pit nearby to where I’ve dug two other times earlier this season to check the basal facets (9,700′, N aspect).  Had to dig deep this time!  265cm total snow depth.  Deep Tap Test failed with Q1/Q2 results at the top of the upper facet layer with hard force (23 taps). Temperature gradient is not steep anymore around these facets, and under the scope they do appear to have rounded corners now.

Punta Bardini Old Growth – 9,700′ – Full Depth snow pit (265cm).

Punta Bardini Old Growth Full-Depth profile, Deep Tap test failure – 23 taps on basal facets

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