Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

- [ ] Went out to the windsor area to ski north facing slope at 11,000 feet below tree line. Coverage ranged between one and 2 1/2 feet. This N facing slope below treeline did not harbor any of the hard pressed layers present above treeline. No shooting cracks observed, but widespread localized cracking. Cuts on the skin track broke easily at the new/old snow interface. Travel off the skin track result in boot-high ski penetration. A quick pit dug at approx 10300 feet shows a very shallow snowpack with new snow resting on top of old facets. In this very shallow pit, compression tests resulted in CT11 at new/old snow interface and CT22 near the bottom of the old snow. Skiing felt like every turn would result in hitting rocks and logs at the bottom of the pack, but we only hit a few.