CAIC Observation Report

Snowpack

Andrew Councell ยท Nov 21, 2011

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Weather

Light winds, light winds, intermittent snow (S-1 to S1), temps just below freezing.

Snowpack

We dug a quick pit near 11,200' on a SE aspect; 33-degree slope; HS ~100cms. Thin (15-20cm) 1-finger slab formed from wind affecting the latest snow, harder/softer in more/less wind-affected areas. Fist-density new snow capped by this wind-slab and sitting on the bullet-hard, wind-hammered slab from the unprecedented wind event almost two weeks ago. Various layers of wind-slab from there to the ground, the last 20cms facets (up to 2mm). CT3 ~30cm down, some weakness in the new-old snow interface but surprisingly weak. This interface was ~5cm above the actual aforementioned wind-hammered slab. This has strengthened since yesterday when we saw lots of shooting cracks and small wind-slab avalanches triggering naturally in the same area. Still...sketchfest on steeper, bigger slopes if they haven't slid already. Game on for Nov.