Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

- Wonderful weather for a day out in the field making observations with our A1 course. Variable surface snow conditions existed in this zone as expected. Pleasant riding conditions were found on shaded / protected slopes below tree line all things considered.

- In our formal snowpack observation today we found a future layer of concern that had repeatable results on CT and Shovel Tilt tests.

- Pit location: Bottom of Mine Shaft Chutes / HS 230 / NW Aspect / 8700 feet
Top 15cm P hard wind packed snow, followed by 5cm of 4F , back to 1F / P rounds to bottom of profile (90cm from ground)

- CT results : CT16 (Q1) @ down 15cm / CT27 (Q1) down 15cm

- In the snow profile we identified this 4F layer as potential buried surface hoar (see picture). Further hand pits and shovel tilt tests showed a layer was also present on north aspects below tree line terrain near pano dome but look more like near surface facets in these locations. I concluded with these hasty observations that we had .5mm near surface facets buried underneath a wind packed snow in most the sheltered norths. But in our snow profile (near a creek and gully feature) we most likely had buried surface hoar due to location in the terrain.

All said and done, no signs of instability in the zone and great day hunting for softer snow conditions.

Signs of Unstable Snow