Steamboat & Flat Tops
SnowpackBilly Grimes ยท Jan 21, 2014
Weather
clear
Snowpack
Dug hasty pit on 30 degree slope on a NE aspect below treeline around 50 vertical feet below a ridgeline. HS215cm, pit dug to ~150cm. Shovel shear indicated weak layers at 60cm, 90cm and 120cm deep. 60cm deep surface hoar interface was most prone to failure during tests, CTH22x2 RPQ2. Extended column tests did not propogate ECTN23. Performed deep tap on 120cm deep interface DTH23. No cracking or whoomphing observed on approach. Ski cuts on small overhanging pillows broke cleanly at 60cm deep layer but were more stubborn and did not fracture on small rollovers with uninterrupted compression zones below. Extensive surface hoar formation evident throughout approach up to 1cm in length.