Leach Ridge - weak layers still kinda there

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Powder

We rode:

• Mellow slopes

The day was:

• Warm

Avalanche conditions

• Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Toured up and then skied down Leach Ridge, 15-20deg slopes, W aspect, from 1650 to 2200m

= frequent whumfing

= 10cm new snow at 2000m, moist (good snowball, dry glove palm)

= +1 at 1650, -2 at 2200m

= calm at 1650, moderate SW wind at ridge, limited snow transport

= E aspect cornices are giant ..... small cornice droppings had triggered thin slab of HST (overnight storm snow) looked 10-15 deep from afar (photo)

= No result in extended column test through to 30 taps (low low angle site) ...... pulled on the block (Fred Flinstone science-style), failed sudden planar SP on Jan 24th layer ..... dropped the block and it broke again on Feb 18th layer (photos)