Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Dug a pit at 5400 ft. around the Timberline access road. Aspect of focus was primarily E/slightly SE facing. No signs of unstable snow, wumphing, or collapsing during approach to pit site. The slope angle of focus was 32 degrees. Wind loading was observed on the slope in question via noticeably increased snow depth at the top of the ridge as the slope angle was just starting to increase. The top layer of snow (15 cm) read 25 degrees F. Found a first rain crust at 45 cm down reading 32 degrees F. Top snow showed signs of crystal rounding and bonding while rain crust was ice under the microscope.

ECT8 - Non-planar fracture at 15 cm. No propagation, only fracture under shovel.
ECT14 - Semi-planar fracture @ rain crust. No propagation, only fracture under shovel.

Just for gigs I dug out the rain crust on a non-isolated section of the pit. I dug out probably 30 cm back and it took 4-5 whacks with my shovel on top of the snow pack to get the top 45 cm layer to go.