CAIC Observation Report
SnowpackAnonymous ยท Dec 12, 2010
Weather
Green Mountain - Lower Headwall - 12.10.10 - Was up at Markley Hut Friday night and had 20cm new snow overnight which high winds blowing up valley from the west. Highlands Ridge - 12.12.10 - Sustained 30mph winds from the NW on the ridge all morning. Significant wind slab formation and transport possible.
Snowpack
Green Mountain - Lower Headwall - 12.10.10 - Was up at Markley Hut Friday night and had 20cm new snow overnight which high winds blowing up valley from the west. On Sat morning skied the lower headwall and there was significant cross loading onto the north facing slope. Had significant settling, cracking, and whoomphing (up to 20' circles) while touring uphill. HS was from 50 - 100cm with storm snow sitting on unsupportable facets. Devo (twin) Chutes, castle creek - 12.12.10 - Toured up the devo chutes in the afternoon and found HS ranging from 60-110cm. Similar snowpack of that up by green mountain in that the new storm snow is sitting mostly on unconsolidated facets. Did a quick pit in the lookers left chute about 2/3 way up. Slope angle was low 30's. HS - 110. Layers of concern were depth hoar formation near the ground and a very persistant and noticable layer of buried surface hoar that was 30cm down from the top of the snowpack. Quick test results: CT6 Q1 - 30cm from surface on buried surface hoar layer CT23 Q2 - At 10cm above the ground in depth hoar layer