Observation Date: 02/04/2012

Route/Location:
We ditched the rig where the snow got too deep and made the climb up to the summit of Gash Point proper. We skied a northerly chute off the summit ridge down into the north bowl, climbed back up to the approach ridge, and skied the excellent burned glades back down to the road.

Weather:
Bluebird. Above freezing down low, mid-20s at the summit. No wind to be found.

Wind:

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
We saw no recent avalanches nor any warning signs. Looking west towards Sky Pilot, we did see some glideWhen the entire snowpack slowly moves as a unit on the ground, similar to a glacier. cracks opening up on an east face above Bear Lake.

We dug a pit on a north aspectThe compass direction a slope faces i.e. North, South, East, West. at around 8500′, and got a CT25Q2 failure at around 30cm, along with several Q3 failures among the 5cm or so thick layers of snow from last week, all of which occurred between CT15 and 20. In an extended column test, we saw these same failures at similar strengths, but none propagated.

Other Comments:
There is a pretty big layer of surface hoarFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dewFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dew. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried.. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried. that has formed at all elevations.

Observer: Doug Brinkerhoff