Wheaton Valley - Mount Anderson
Snowpackjasmindobson · Dec 19, 2016 · Wheaton
Quick report
- Weather
- cloudy, windy
- Ride Type
- mellowSlopes
- Stayed Away
- convexSlopes, steepSlopes
- Riding Quality
- ok
- Snow Conditions
- powder, windAffected
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSound
Toured up to 4700 ft/1433 m treeline terrain, south-east of Mount Anderson in the Wheaton Valley. Below treeline, the snow was not wind affected, slightly settled but not slabby. There also wasn't enough snow for us to feel confident skiing in the trees (HS less than 50 cm (snowpack depth)). At treeline, things quickly changed with variable wind affected snow encountered - we encountered stiff windslab and soft windslab, the latter was cracking and propagating approximately a few meters from us. One whumpf encountered at treeline. Most of the snowpack at treeline appeared to consist of loose, sugary snow (aka facets) and our dog was having a tough time following us because he was punching through so far! At treeline, shrubbery wasn't quite covered. Only observed alpine slopes but they definitely appeared to be shallow in some areas and wind loaded in other areas.
Weather
- Avg Temp
- -8
- Wind Speed
- windSpeedModerate
- Blowing Snow
- light
- Sky Condition
- overcast
- Wind Direction
- SW
- Precipitation Type
- none
Weather started off with cool temps in valley below @ around 9:30 am and by the time we climbed 500 ft/153 m the temperature was much warmer. Overcast skies rolled in around 12:00 and wind at treeline picked up.
Snowpack
- Depth
- 60
- Obs Type
- point
- Site Aspect
- NW
- Site Elevation
- 1433
- Ski Penetration
- 25
- Test Initiation
- none
- Foot Penetration
- 50
- Cracking Observed
- 1
- Site Elevation Band
- tln
- Surface Conditions
- variable
- Whumpfing Observed
- 1
Dug a pit to look at the snow layering in this area. This pit was approximately 25 m west of the other pit that was dug in the same area. In comparison, this pit had less snow (slightly sheltered location) and did not have a stiff windslab at the top. Treeline @ 4700 ft/1433 m. NW aspect. 30 degree slope. Overcast sky. No precip. Wind - Moderate SW. Air temp: -8c. Height of snow was 60 cm. 60 - 50 cm: 4F+. Wind affected soft slab. 50 - 35 cm: 4F-. Facets. 35 - 25 cm: 1F. Facets. 25 - 24 cm: 1F. Appeared to be a crust that was broken down. 24 - 0 cm: 1 F+. Facets progressing to Depth Hoar. I did not pull my loop out and the crystals were based off what I could see in my hand (facets were loose, shiny, obvious...)