No Cracking
Localized Collapsing (1-5m) with skiing above minor terrain feature variance.
Artificial rollers were present, which carried 5-20m downslope.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan-Above Treeline
11:45- 3:45pm
Standard approach to treeline to conduct instability tests at two pit locations.
Calm winds throughout entire tour, with broken skies, S-1 and a lingering valley fog throughout all of Turnagain Pass.
My intentions were set on snowpack familiarization and assessing distinct layers for the early season setup.
0°C at Tincan lot.
38 cars in the lot by midday!
Observer Comments
Weather
Broken Skies and valley fog (1300 ft-2000 ft) present throughout entire day.
Calm winds at high point of 2,600 ft. Evidence of calm winds overnight as all observed alders/ trees held snow accumulation.
-7°C to 0°C with no strong sun affect.
Snow surface
Precipitation particles were present on surface from parking lot to 2,600 ft with approx. 3-6cm of overnight accumulation.
A 1-2cm pencil hard crust was present on south facing aspects from 1,200-1,800 ft.
Ski/Boot Pen: 15-20cm/50-60cm
Snowpack
In general, my focus was to familiarize myself with the current setup, and conduct practical instability tests, one at treeline, one above treeline to find the depth, distribution and reactivity of the basal facets.
The HS varied in small areas from 1,200 ft to 2,600 ft, though consistently between 50-80cm with Fist hard, low density upper layer to a 4F-1F mid layer, all being supported by a P Hard MF crust, on F hard basal Facets.
I don’t believe there is much evidence of the MF crust layer bridging from the basal facets, which leads me to think the layer of concern for many weeks will be the basal facets. I’m curious of facet growth above and below the MF crust at higher elevations.
*See Hardness Profile and SnowPilot for Details*
SnowPilot Treeline Pit #1
SnowPilot Pit #2
Valley Fog-View from 2,500 ft.
Pit 1 Profile with F-Hard Facet base removed
Pit 2 Profile
2-4mm Basal Facets found from 1,200 ft to 2,600 ft during tour.