Observation Date: 02/19/2012

Route/Location:
West Fork of B. Root River up an N-NW Ridge to 8300′. Skied N-NE slope to drainage and out to car.

Weather:
27* degrees F @ 0900 hr @ 4500′, \
20* F @ 1300 hr @ 8300′
S

Wind:
with winds out the West-NW… Light with Moderate Gusts. Winds picked up in the afternoon.

New Snow: 3-6″

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%).: Low

Avalanche Activity:
Pushy dry Sluffs on steep shaded aspects. .. N-NE… We ahd one sluffA Loose Snow AvalancheA Loose Snow Avalanche or Sluff. or Sluff. run approx. 1000′

Observed Danger Rating:

Other Comments:
Skiing was good up high with a prominent 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 found as you got lower in elevation.
Test results @ 8300′ N-NE aspectThe compass direction a slope faces i.e. North, South, East, West. 40* degree slope — ECTX ECTN30 down 50cm Q3 BR (see video)
We skied a slightly lower angle slope 34-38 degrees and had good skiing but had to manage sluffs.

Observer: George D’Angelo