Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We followed Worm Flow trail. Knew danger was high, but this route is on a ridge, and we were just out for exercise. Stopped at 4200 ft as we didn't even think slopes less than 30 degrees were okay to ski. Breaking trail was knee deep snow. Pit was narrow ridge(about 50ft wide) and slope was 15 degrees. Winds from SW and snowing. Visibility about 1500ft. Snow depth was 180 cm. 1st ice crust was at 125 cm to 111 cm. Another ice crust was at 100cm and 2.5cm thick. At 90 was a thin ice crust and at 70 was a 4in thick crust. 2 light taps with snow shovel gave a break at about 5cm from surface, and two more slightly harder snow shovel taps produced a 2nd break at about 20cm. View of 30degree slope to the West(46.16487, -122.17720) showed snow drift lines parallel to slope and from the south. Lower down at Chocolate falls trail crossing, East-facing slope was 45+ degrees and about 30ft high. Here the snow was 2-2.5 deep drift on crust. Trying to traverse up it was breaking all snow drift down to ice crust. Hard time penetrating crust with skis. I believe this coincided with 111cm crust at pit. Please let me know if this is helpful, am trying to get better at snow pits and good observation.