stepping out into the alpine today after a one week hiatus from the zone. today was a good reminder to be diligent about collecting data, given recent wind events and minimal obs from this corner of the zone. mindset switched to stepping back as high E, NE objective gave more disconcerting feedback on serial handpits, then pushing us to pause for a formal study with propagation seen (see snowpack obs). pulled back before ascending to higher and steeper terrain. could have been lulled into complacency as surface snow generally soft with inconsistent slab character.
in retrospect, not a total surprise as were pushing right where skier triggered possible given forecast (i.e. steep, alpine flavor, wind-affected).
retreated, rolled to solars and still enjoyed soft snow off the summit in less committing terrain.
chillier temps than expected. cold NW winds kept alpine solars in play but also continued to move snow and build stiff wind slabs ATL. minimal point releases seen from rocky bands on solars.
above 9000. E, NE aspects PS 10-15 cm.
at 9800', NE aspect (60), 34*.
CTE, M on new storm snow 10cm down, but dirty shears and not initially very concerning. but pole strikes and probing suggested more cohesive windslab recently buried.
therefore paused just 400' ft short of ascent objective. found - ECTP x2 with high strength scores, but low friction, SC with surprising energy on buried FCsf 2mm about 50 cm down. just above LOC was a very cohesive 10cm of 1F stiff windslab from prior wind events.
Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
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Comments: distribution widespread in alpine (wherever snow not totally removed from last weeks wind events). generally stubborn, but a few surprises to be had ( see bottom line) |
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Comments: gotta believe this one is still lurking. HS very thick in spots (up to 190cm), but continue to be weary of thinner pack in high alpine, margins of slab, and prospect of triggering the odd sensitive windslab in alpine with prospects of stepping down. |
became more conservative. see bottom line.