Observation Date: 02/05/2012

Route/Location:
Snowmobiled up to about 5900′. Skied an E-W ridge up to about 7000′. ‘ Large old wind affected cornices and features made travel difficult and required booting at certain spots.

Weather:
Great riding weather!! Bluebird and beautiful. South and sunny slopes heated up during the day getting nice and soft in the top 5-15cm and seemed to provide decent and supportive riding conditions. Shaded slopes provided good 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. shwooshing. Temps were in the mid twenties to low thirties during the day.

Wind:
No Wind

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
So large was the 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 we were able to triggerA disturbance that initiates fracture within the weak layer causing an avalanche . In 90 percent of avalanche accidents , the victim or someone in the victims party triggers the avalanche .A disturbance that initiates fracture within the weak layer causing an avalanche . In 90 percent of avalanche accidents , the victim or someone in the victims party triggers the avalanche . small sluffs of cohesionless hoar/snow on steep shaded slopes.

Other Comments:
HS@5600′ 200cm. There was a definitive rain crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind.A clear layer of ice formed when rain falls on the snow surface then freezes.A Rain CrustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind.A clear layer of ice formed when rain falls on the snow surface then freezes. is formed by the freezing of infiltrated rain water. It can be thin (from a glaze to a few millimeters thick) or if there is hard rain there may be more of an ice surface than a distinct crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind.. all the way up to about 7000′ on all aspects. On top of this crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind. sits impressively large 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. 1.5-3cm on most shaded aspects. Keep in mind this is likely our new bed surfaceThe surface over which 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. and subsequent avalanche release occurs. Can be either the ground or a snow surface. for the next storm cycle. CrustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind./ hoar combinations can be extremely reactive and touchy once buried. The sun has destroyed and/or significantly weakened any hoar on sunny slopes. These sunny slopes will likely have 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. associated with the new bed surfaceThe surface over which 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. and subsequent avalanche release occurs. Can be either the ground or a snow surface..

Observer: George D’Angelo