Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 23, 2021
Submitted:
December 23, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Banner Summit
Location:
Copper

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Isolated cracking in fresh wind drift

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Wind:
Moderate
New/Recent Snowfall:
HST 30cm (?)

1300-1800 wx obs: Fairly windy at all elevations on more exposed terrain features. Snowing average of S2-3 over course of the tour, up to S4-5 at times. Wind and snow from past week made it difficult to get a sense for HST, probably around 30cm. Ground blizzards across the highway on the drive back to Stanley.

Avalanche Observations

None observed, terrible visibility

Snowpack Observations

Dug on N at 7,500' where HS=180cm. I wanted to look at 12/11 a little lower in elevation, where I suspected it would be less concerning.
ECTP 30 and 33 (non standard loading steps, but was not hulk smashing).
CPST 28/120 END
CPST 33/120 END
All down 120cm on 12/11, which presented as

(12/23/21) The slab sitting above the weak layer in the Banner summit zone is now 4' deep. This layer still looks bad... Remember it was buried just 2 weeks ago and is now struggling to uphold another heavy load. 
Snowpit on Copper Mountain at 7,500' on N facing slope. ECTP30 down 120cm

Avalanche Problems

12/11 persistent slab and new snow problems occupied the problem list.