One of these pits is not like the other

Quick report

Weather

sunny, warm

Ride Type

denseTrees, mellowSlopes, openTrees

Stayed Away

convexSlopes, steepSlopes

Riding Quality

ok

Snow Conditions

crusty, hard, powder, windAffected

We were at the McDermott hut from Feb.10-Feb 13. We actually found some great skiing on predominately North facing aspects. We used ski crampons for ascent on south open aspects. 2 pits had similar results showing single column CT 12 sudden planar results on the January SH layer down 15-30cms. Extended column tests did not propagate. We completed a Rush block on 1 of these pits and had no failure. Our last pit on Feb 12th, again north facing showed single column CT 5 sudden planar again but this time we had results on the extended column test. ECT 8 and propagation 30 cms across. A skier than stepped above the pit and the entire top 30cms slide off. Theres good skiing out there but also isolated locations that are touchy as noted by the South Rockies Team. The moustaches will ride in McDermott again next year. Thanks again to Travis.

Snowpack

Obs Type

summary

Site Aspect

N, NE

Test Fracture

sudden

Site Elevation

1800

Ski Penetration

9

Test Initiation

moderate

Foot Penetration

30

Site Elevation Band

btl

Surface Conditions

surfaceHoar

Test Failure Layer Crystal Types

facets, surfaceHoar