Hunt for SH layer…slayin’ storm snow
Snowpackwgregg · Dec 11, 2021 · Quesnel
Quick report
- Weather
- cloudy, sunny, cold
- Ride Type
- openTrees, mellowSlopes, denseTrees
- Stayed Away
- convexSlopes, alpineSlopes
- Riding Quality
- amazing
- Snow Conditions
- deepPowder
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSnow
Solo mission looking for what is going on with the Nov 28 - Dec 2 storm interface. Found some good skiing along the way!
Snowpack
- Depth
- 130
- Obs Type
- point
- Site Aspect
- E
- Test Fracture
- sudden
- Site Elevation
- 1700
- Test Initiation
- easy
- Foot Penetration
- 34
- Test Failure Depth
- 55
- Site Elevation Band
- tln
- Surface Conditions
- newSnow
- Test Failure Layer Crystal Types
- surfaceHoar, facets
I did two separate test profiles one BTL and one TL. Due to heavy loading from Strong to Extreme winds out of the South I avoided loaded alpine terrain. Was very surprised to see a lack of Natural activity, I would say suspiciously surprised. BTL Test Profile (Image 1) 0800hrs Elevation: 1465 NW aspect Overcast, Calm, -8C HS 105 PP/DF from wind on the surface, 15cm’s of unconsolidated storm snow. Dec rain/melt/freeze layer 30cm down w/ 4cm of faceted snow and another MF layer. Was not able to find any SH above or below that layer. Compression test results failed to ground CTM7 Sudden Collapse TL Test Profile (image 2, 3) Elevation: 1700 E aspect Overcast, S-1, Light East, -7C PF: 34cm Incline: 30 Early Dec Melt/Freeze down 45cm, 2nd Melt/Freeze down 55cm. No obvious SH, but facets above and below both layers. Shovel Pry test easy 5cm down. CTE1 down 5cm SC on PP CTM2 down 15cm BR CTH5 down 30 BR Grauple/PP CTH8 down 55 SC Facets