Observation: Summit

Location: Manitoba Treeline

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

11:00-Standard Uptrack on Manitoba groomed trail towards Lower Treeline bench. We moved into alpine terrain to assess snowpack stability, conduct pit tests and to confirm a persistent weak layer trend at treeline and above. We encountered no avalanches or incidents throughout our tour.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Heavy wind scouring was visible on adjacent ridge lines at all aspects and above 2,000 ft.

A persistent weak layer of .5-1mm facets was found between 40-50cm below the surface.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Clear skies with no precipitation throughout entire tour trending to scattered clouds coming from the south by 4pm.

We encountered a light, 5 mph consistent wind from the NE from 11:00-4pm.

Snow surface

Surface Hoar of mixed feathers and needles, present up to 1,800 ft.

A Crust layer was present 5-10cm below surface up to 2,700 ft and we did not go high enough to find its termination.

Surface snow among our entire group

Snowpack

Manitoba Treeline, 2pm
EL 2,700, W Aspect, 23° Slope, -11° C,
Height of Snow varied from 110cm to 190cm

LAYER OF CONCERN: Facet layer of .5-1mm

Pit Tests:
On a .5-1mm facet layer, 40-50cm below surface we received results of:

CT 19-25 RP
ECTP 19-25
PST results varied from 100/100 END to 48/100 END @63 below surface.

Photos & Video
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