Public Field Report

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Today our group's objective was to dig some pits and take a look at out seasonal snow pack. We stayed out of avalanche terrain and experienced collapsing and cracking on our way into the field. We were on a east aspect, 20 degree slope angle, sky conditions were clear, wind was light to calm, air temp was -5 C. Our pits revealed a snow depth of 92 cm with a persistent weak layer at about 40 cm from the ground. We did 3 test. Compression test was CTM 18 SP, Extended Column Teas was ECTP 15 SP, and Propagation Saw Test was AAR at about 10 cm. All test failed on the same layer as seen in the picture. We found harder snow at 1 finger hardness above softer snow at fist hardness.