Quartz Hill Expedition

Snowpack

Depth

170

Obs Type

summary

Site Aspect

NE, N, E

Test Fracture

resistant

Site Elevation

2500

Ski Penetration

25

Test Initiation

hard

Foot Penetration

45

Test Failure Depth

15

Site Elevation Band

alp, tln, btl

Surface Conditions

newSnow

Test Failure Layer Crystal Types

surfaceHoar

Aimed for the summit of Quartz Hill via the North Ridge. Opted for conservative terrain due to a visible wind slab at higher elevations (2500 - summit). Weather: Temperature: -13 degrees. Light wind from the SW carried thin cloud. Varied from full sun to full cloud. Signs of fresh snow from previous 48 hours. Riding conditions: Good riding conditions. Recent storm brought in 15cm of dry and light snow. Mellow N and NE slopes were unaffected by wind. Snowpack & Stability: - Location: North Ridge, ALP (2487m). - HS (Height of Snow): Varied significantly. Deep pockets of fresh snow over last storm cycles crust (40cm+) in lee areas; isolated wind crusts on exposed ridges (20cm or less coverage). Test Results: - CT24 (PC, NP) @ 15cm on SH; failure was Non-Planar (crumbled, no clean shear). - PST 100/100 (No Prop) on the same layer. - PWL Check: Early-season Persistent Weak Layer (PWL) was difficult to find and showed no reactivity or movement during testing. Avalanche Activity: - Small isolated dry loose (sluff) activity observed on steep SW aspects. Cornice Fall -> Slab. - Size: 2.0. - Aspect/Elevation: NE Aspect, Alpine. - Trigger: Natural (Na). - Description: Cornice failure from 48–72 hours ago triggered a slab. Wide, chunky (1.5m tall chunks) debris field visible (see photos). Other notes: While the snowpack generally tested as 'Good' the presence of a Size 2 natural cycle and visible wind loading on the summit triggered a decision to pivot. We moved our objective to the false summit (Ridge) to avoid triggering wind-pressed slabs found at higher elevations (2500m+) on NE slopes."