Facet-lanches and wind slabs

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, windy

Ride Type

mellowSlopes

Stayed Away

alpineSlopes, convexSlopes, steepSlopes

Riding Quality

ok

Snow Conditions

powder, windAffected

Lots of wind affected snow at treeline and above at Bow Summit. A test pit to investigate the stiff (pencil +) wind slab above the South Chutes gave: CTM 11 (SC) down 40cm on large facets ECTP 12 down 40cm on FC 3 These pit results reinforced our decision to avoid the recently loaded chutes. I also cut some full depth loose/dry avalanches out of a steeper sheltered slope below treeline. The faceted snowpack has little strength and was easily sluffing. In one place the slope had been triggered by a snowball falling from a tree.