Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Stuck to lower risk terrain out above Henskin Lake. Dug a pit in the bowl to the west of Pickhandle. About 14 inches of unbonded, loose snow on top of a weak crust layer, followed by several inches of sugary snow you could brush out with your hand, down to another firm layer. Performed three column tests - one had top layer fail after four wrist taps, next required 5 elbow taps but didn't cause the whole layer to break, last required significant force to cause failure; very variable. Also very large cornices hanging off of ridgeline.