Public Field Report

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We toured up to Repeater Ridge past the Galena Summit SNOTEL station to dig pits at 8830' on a 17º SE-facing aspect with the objective of understanding the season snowpack. The day was clear with light-moderate winds out of the east. When we dug the pits between 12:15pm and 2:30pm the sun exposure was high, though we did not record specific temperatures. The snow on the tour was mostly dry on the less steep slopes we observed, even in sun-exposed areas.

Total snow depth from ground at the test site was 115-130cm. Hand hardness tests revealed several weak layers, as expected from the season's weather patterns and avalanche forecasts. Compression test resulted in CTM (13) sudden collapse @ 20cm depth from surface, breaking at a faceted layer. Extended column test resulted in ECTN14 @ 20cm depth, also breaking at a faceted layer.

Skied SE aspect of the Cross and did not observe any obvious signs of avalanche activity. Primarily several inches of dry snow on top of wind- and temperature-affected crust.