Sunshine and double-over-big-toe blower pow

Submitted by
havelaar78
Observations date
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 18:00
Location
54.664695° N 128.688982° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Sunshine and double-over-big-toe blower pow

Information

Is this a point observation or a summary of your day?
Summary
Elevation band
  • Treeline
Aspect
  • W
Snowpack depth
110cm
Did you observe whumpfing?
No
Did you observe cracking?
No
Foot penetration
20cm
Ski penetration
10cm
Snowpack test result
Easy
Snowpack test fracture character
Sudden (`pop` or `drop`)
Snowpack test failure depth
80cm
Surface conditions
  • New snow
Snowpack test failure layer crystal type
  • Crust
  • Other

Comments

At 1100 m, CTE (5) down 80 cm on large, loosely consolidated wet grains below a decomposing crust HS was110 cm. The upper pack was peppered with crusts but generally well bonded, the failure was a sudden collapse within a 10cm layer of rotten snow. Checked again at 1400m and had a CTM 12 down 90 cm on slightly faceted grains, also below a decomposing crust, HS 180cm. We did see old debris covered by the recent storm snow but the only other signs of instability were small point releases and pinwheeling from trees and steep cliffs. Turns were dreamy, high speed powder over a supportive but forgiving base.