Observation Sub Peak, Jimmy Jr...weekend round-up
Snowpacknpin · Dec 4, 2021 · East Side 93N
Quick report
- Ride Type
- mellowSlopes, alpineSlopes, openTrees
- Stayed Away
- convexSlopes, steepSlopes
- Riding Quality
- good
- Snow Conditions
- powder, windAffected
On December 4 we ascended to benchy terrain at TL on the NE shoulder of Jimmy Jr to assess conditions at TL and have a look into the alpine. Reaching the base of Jimmy Jr bowl we observed the debris pile of a large natural avalanche that occurred during the last storm, which removed trees up to 20cm in diameter. The new snow was becoming wind affected above 2300m, and had an upside-down feel in places. We skied the mellow, open trees in the East facing path down to 2000m and made a second lap in the adjacent path down to Bow Lake. Ski quality was excellent to around 2100m, where we could begin to feel the crust formed during the last storm. On December 5 we made an ascent of Observation Sub Peak, following the ridge line from the South. Moderate NW winds above TL were exfoliating. We were careful to avoid large slopes where wind had redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs. We skied an excellent run on the North Glacier to around 2550m, sticking to the low-angle terrain on the skiers right-hand side. We probed an average depth of 180cm on the glacier, but up 280cm. We then descended S-SE on supported, low-angle terrain to return to the main drainage between Cirque and Sub-Obs.
Weather
- Wind Speed
- windSpeedModerate
- Blowing Snow
- moderate
- Sky Condition
- scatteredClouds
- Wind Direction
- NW
Cool and overcast on December 4. L-M SW winds at TL, redistributing storm snow. Snowing lightly through the day, accumulation less than 1cm at the car. Cold temps and brisk NW wind on December 5. -17C at the road at 0900, mix of sun and cloud. Greatly improved visibility over the previous day allowed us to see the results of the recent avalanche cycle.
Snowpack
- Depth
- 310
- Obs Type
- point
- Site Aspect
- NE
- Test Fracture
- resistant
- Site Elevation
- 2320
- Ski Penetration
- 30
- Test Initiation
- moderate
- Test Failure Depth
- 40
- Site Elevation Band
- tln
- Surface Conditions
- newSnow
Profile on wind loaded roll at TL on December 4. 5cm new snow overlying older storm snow. Moderate to Hard Resistant Planar results down 30 and 40 in Compression Tests.