None observed - although wind transport at higher elevations transformed dense powder into a thick wind skin by our second lap.
Observation: Summit
Location: Summit - Manitoba
Standard uptrack to top of Manitoba.
Observer Comments
Weather
S-1 at 0900, increased to S1 by 10:15 and kept it up for the rest of the day, temperatures hovering at -5 C throughout the day
At 3500’, winds were light to moderate from NE.
Visibility ranged from mostly flat light to vertigo inducing ping-pong ball throughout the tour.
Temperatures hovered at -5 C throughout the day.
Snow surface
Wind scouring on nearby ridge lines, but consistent wind-deposited hot powder along almost the entire west face of the mountain. The final 100’ to the summit featured supportable windboard, and small cornices were forming along the ridge to the summit.
Ski quality was surprisingly high!
Snowpack
Snowpack height averaged around 1m, with loaded pockets closer to the ridge 1.5 to 2m deep.
One quick pit at 3400’, W aspect, snow depth 90cm:
The top ~40cm featured several different layers of wind packed rounds from consecutive precip and wind events, offering several stability test results as opposed to the basal facet layer, which was unreactive and firmer than I anticipated (1F).
ECTN18 @ 71cm, ECTN20 @ 62cm; both failed on density changes between the slab and the supporting layers.
West Face of Manitoba from the top.
Snowpit at 3,400', west, 90cm total snow depth.
Wind affected snow along the upper section of Manitoba.