Gin Column Test

Snowpack

George Hill · Dec 23, 2020 · Brandywine

View on map

Quick report

Weather
sunny, cold
Ride Type
alpineSlopes, openTrees
Stayed Away
convexSlopes, steepSlopes
Riding Quality
ok
Snow Conditions
powder, crusty

A beautiful day. Conducted a compression test just north of Gin peak on a 40° slope N aspect. There was a sudden planar failure 72cm down on the persistent weak layer with 18 hits. It was our opinion that the result verified our initial risk management plan of staying to slopes below 35 degrees in the alpine and avoiding complex unsupported slopes.

Weather

Wind Speed
windSpeedCalm
Sky Condition
clear
Temperature Trend
steady
Precipitation Type
none

Snowpack

Obs Type
point
Site Aspect
N
Test Fracture
sudden
Site Elevation
1790
Test Initiation
moderate
Test Failure Depth
72
Site Elevation Band
alp
Surface Conditions
crust

Did a column test on a 40° slope, aspect 346° N. CTE 2 (RP) down 12 wind layer. CTM 13 (BRK) down 27. CTM 18 (SP) down 72 on persistent weak layer.