Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Not liking the lift lines and bored of the Gold Hills lift I went to the E slope of Pickhandle Ridge for some tree and glade skiing. I found the new storm snow 15 cm reactive between 5600 and 5900 ft (max elevation I visited). Also at 5900 ft I found about 4 inches of less dense sugary snow above the rain crust about 50 cm down. On my 2nd decent I skied about 6 ft above my skin track for about 100 feet to further test the new storm snow 15 cm which slid onto the skin track in very soft slab like. Slope angle was about 33 deg , E 70 deg at 5860 ft.

5900 ft, NE 66, 34 deg slope, 25 cm ski pen, 60 ft below ridge. 15 cm sudden planer, solid crust 50 cm down with 4 inches of lower density somewhat sugary snow, see photo, between crust and denser snow above. Without readers or lens I could not confirm grain types. Also strong winds S 200 deg with surface snow drifting at 2 PM

5875 ft, NE 61, Slope 33 deg, 25 cm ski pen, glade with trees likely effecting radiation balance, 8cm easy planer, 15 cm sudden. Bond to solid crust at 50 cm excellent. Some wind effect observed. Approx 10O ft below ridge top. Also failure of 15 cm storm snow at switch back 6ft crack observed at this point.

5640ft, E 73, Slope 27 dg, 25cm ski pen, large clearing, min wind effect, hand shear test resulted in a planer failure 7 cm and 15 cm down and a solid bond to the robust crust 50cm down