Below Asulkan Hut

Performed 2 compression tests and an ECT on a NE wind-loaded slope at treeline. We saw a resistant planar shear after 11 taps on the interface of the new wind-loaded snow and old snow at 11cms depth (CTM11 (RP) down 11cms), a sudden planar shear down 24cms after 18 taps (CTM18 (SP) down 24cms), and a moderate sudden planar shear on a deep persistent layer down 84cms (DTM11 (SP) down 84cms). We performed an ECT to test propagation propensity, and the only result we observed was a sudden planar shear with full propagation after 22 taps on the layer down 24cms (ECTP22 (SP) down 24cms) A group of 8 skied this slope conservatively, avoiding areas of shallow depth and convexities, with no local collapsing or reactivity observed. In general across all leeward aspects, the wind slab was bonding well to the old snow interface, and in windward/non-lee terrain, the snowpack is generally 20-30cms of low-density (F hardness) snow atop a well-consolidated (4F hardness) old snow layer. No temperature gradient was measured on the 24cm interface, but observations of buried surface hoar was observed upon 'burp' tests.