Sluff pulled out small pockets of the new snow on steeper features, see photo.
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan Trees
Standard uptrack to tree line. Hip deep wallowing when breaking trail.
Observer Comments
Weather
Overcast becoming broken. Light to moderate snowfall tapering off to very light then no precip. Light winds from the northeast.
Snow surface
Light density new snow, a few previous wind drifts evident at treeline.
Snowpack
See pit profile and image attached. Layer of concern in our pit - approximately 60cm deep, 2cm thick layer of decomposing precip particles, looked like 3-5mm stellars. This is the layer that appeared to be releasing sluff pockets, and the layer stability tests failed on. New snow above and below appeared much smaller ~1mm, all three layers with similar hand hardness. Our pit was likely in the lee of a small feature, getting wind deposit, so the stellar layer may not be as deep at other locations.
HS ranged from 180-220cm
ECTN13@152 (the stellar layer)
CT10(PC)@175
CT12(SC)@152 (the stellar layer)
pit profile
pit image
clean slate up high
steep pitch in center of frame shows sluff pocket example