Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We did a quick tour up the Steven's Pass sidecountry today. While traveling between 4000-5200 ft, we ski cut multiple test slopes of various aspects, without any signs of reactivity. Once we had attained the ridge at our destination, we decided to do a couple quick evaluations of a NNE aspect slope measuring 40 degrees at 5100 ft. We utilized our rope and set a quick ski belay so one skier could ski the slope. During the first 1/3 of the slope was a convexity we ski-cut/jump-tested in an attempt to initiate a slide, and it proved non-reactive (The runout zone was safe here, and it was easily discernible there were no other skiers in our vicinity). Upon this slope we conducted two pits independently and both had almost identical results. HS 320. We both conducted two compression tests each with our results being CTM (14-18 taps)-SP at 35 cm down. We did an ECT which provided a result of ECTN 19 on the same interface at 35 cm down. We intended to conduct a more focused assessment on this slope, including further evaluation of an east aspect, but we were running short on time.

Otherwise, numerous tree bombs lingering above and tree well concerns to be noted, and the snow was fairly deep and a little heavy. But with the aforementioned details noted and in mind, it was super fun day skiing :)