Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Guided Exposure AIARE 2Observation Date:
February 12, 2023Submitted:
February 12, 2023Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Hontoon/Swift Creek BenchSigns of Unstable Snow
Observations
Did not rain, which was huge improvement over the forecast. Stayed dry, not terrible cold but wind chill was a factor.
Weather was overcast, lightly snowing (S1) with light winds from the southwest. Temperature was 34 degrees F at 1035. Visibility was obscured by fog at times with no blowing snow.
Group dug 3 pits approx 20ft apart near sheltered near treeline with different aspects and wind loading.
N/NE aspect pit at 4800ft: Shovel tilt test resulted in non-planer, easy at 3 taps; CTN; ECTX; PST ARR 60/100/40cm down. MLK layer at approx 145cm.
N aspect pit at 4800ft; Shovel tilt test resulted in non-planer fracture, moderate at 14 taps; CTM RP & ECTN down 35cm; PST no fracture. MLK layer at approx 85cm.
NW aspect at 4800ft; 15 deg slope angle; Shovel tilt no result; CTM (13) SC down 30cm; ETCN (16) down 30cm; DTN down 245cm - targeting suspected weak layers above MLK layer, which was at 265cm.
No avalanche observations.
Media
