Loopbrook snowpack observation

Is this a point observation or a summary of your day?

Point observation

Elevation above sea level

1,590m

Elevation band

• Below treeline

Aspect

• E
• SE

Snowpack depth

255cm

Did you observe whumpfing?

Yes

Did you observe cracking?

Yes

Ski penetration

15cm

Snowpack test result

Moderate

Snowpack test fracture character

Sudden (`pop` or `drop`)

Snowpack test failure depth

35cm

Surface conditions

• New snow

Snowpack test failure layer crystal type

• Crust
• Surface hoar

Did a quick CT and ECT in a sheltered area on the right hand side of Loopbrook, below treeline. We observed a lot of whumphing and cracking in the way up, around 11am. This would have been on the way towards bootbacking for Ross alternate couloir.

Similar aspect and elevation from the the size 2 observed on feb. 11 in ross pillows. Lots of small convexes had already cracked naturally on the way up.

The slope on which we did the test was roughly 27 degrees, not something you would ski on purpose but it is useful information for skiouts from the alpine.

Note that we messed up the tapping, we did 5 wrist taps followed by elbow taps instead of 10 wrist taps.

First test result was CT 9 (5 wrist + 4 elbow) SP on surface hoar at 35 cm deep

Second test result was ECT 6 (5 wrist + 1 elbow) SP on surface hoar at 35 cm deep (propagated on the full 90cm).

We later removed the columns and had a skier step on top of the pit and the whole thing collapsed on the same layer when he was about 6ft above the pit starting to step down gently.