Observation Date: 01/23/2012

Route/Location:
Central Bitterroots

Weather:

Wind:

New Snow:

Snow DensityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low densityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low density (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%). (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%).:

Avalanche Activity:

Observed Danger Rating:

Other Comments:
Location: Central Bitterroots
Elevation: 6880
AspectThe compass direction a slope faces i.e. North, South, East, West.: NNE
Slope Angle: 27
Test: ECT 16 no propagationThe spreading of a fractureThe physical separation of the slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. from the bed surface and surrounding snow during the initiation of a slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. avalanche. or crackThe spreading of a fractureThe physical separation of the slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. from the bed surface and surrounding snow during the initiation of a slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. avalanche. or crack within the snowpack. within the snowpack. Q2, 25 cm down, new snow layerA snowpack stratum differentiated from others by weather, metamorphism, or other processes. that is beginning to bond
ECT 27 full propagationThe spreading of a fractureThe physical separation of the slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. from the bed surface and surrounding snow during the initiation of a slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. avalanche. or crackThe spreading of a fractureThe physical separation of the slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. from the bed surface and surrounding snow during the initiation of a slabA relatively cohesive snowpack layer. A layer of snow stronger than underlying layers. avalanche. or crack within the snowpack. within the snowpack. Q3, 80 cm down riding an a crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind. layer, I had to really yard on this column to pull it into the pit

Observed: 2 small/moderate naturally triggered slap avalanches on easterly wind loaded slopes at a lower elevation

Epic Fail at Lost Trail pass area, 1/24/12, ECT0 test was a Q1-2 (I couldn’t remember if I had included the reactivity or not)

Observer: tim buhl