Little Sifton Test Pit 161205

Avalanche

telemarkus · Dec 6, 2016 · Glacier

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Quick report

Weather
cold, cloudy, sunny
Ride Type
openTrees, steepSlopes, alpineSlopes, denseTrees
Riding Quality
good
Snow Conditions
deepPowder

Test pit dug down to 170 en route up to LIttle Sifton Today. 2515m E aspect, ~30 degree slope. Nov 13 Crust (two layers) down 125 and appearing to break down with P hardness on those layers. Snowpack was completely rightside up. CT 11, 16 (RP) down 60 DF, PP 1-3mm and CT 24, 25 (RP) down 80 DF, PP 2-3mm. Ta -15, T10 -12.2, T20 -13.3. No results on crust interfaces. Final ascent to Little Sifton showed some storm slabbing on N/NE aspects. No surface instabilities were noted on the tour. Ski quality was god and snow was dense with cold temps. Veered over to Rogers Run and ski quality was great with some minor bush-work near creek bottom. .

Weather

Avg Temp
-15
Wind Speed
windSpeedCalm
Blowing Snow
none
Sky Condition
overcast
Storm Start Date
2016-12-02T19:00:00.000Z
Temperature Trend
falling
Precipitation Type
none

Snowpack

Depth
260
Obs Type
point
Site Aspect
E
Test Fracture
resistant
Site Elevation
2515
Ski Penetration
28
Test Initiation
moderate
Foot Penetration
45
Site Elevation Band
alp
Surface Conditions
newSnow
Test Failure Layer Crystal Types
stormSnow

Test pit dug down to 170 en route up to LIttle Sifton Today. 2515m E aspect, ~30 degree slope. Nov 13 Crust (two layers) down 125 and appearing to break down with P hardness on those layers. Snowpack was completely rightside up. CT 11, 16 (RP) down 60 DF, PP 1-3mm and CT 24, 25 (RP) down 80 DF, PP 2-3mm. Ta -15, T10 -12.2, T20 -13.3. No results on crust interfaces. Final ascent to Little Sifton showed some storm slabbing on N/NE aspects. Ski quality was god and snow was dense with cold temps. Veered over to Rogers Run and ski quality was great with some minor bush-work near creek bottom. .

Avalanche

Slab Width
100
Trigger Type
natural
Wind Exposure
crossLoadedSlope
Avalanche Size
1.5
Slab Thickness
25
Start Zone Aspect
E
Vegetation Cover
openSlope
Start Zone Incline
40
Avalanche Character
stormSlab
Number Of Avalanches
2-5
Start Zone Elevation
2600
Avalanche Observation
24to48hrsAgo
Weak Layer Crystal Type
stormSnow
Start Zone Elevation Band
alp
Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
2016-12-05T15:00:00

2 Na avalanches off Grizzly Mtn observed ~1.5 of storm snow.