Oxo/Puzzle

Riding quality was:

OK

Snow conditions were:

• Crusty
• Hard
• Wet
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Dense trees
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees
• Sunny slopes

The day was:

• Cloudy
• Warm

Avalanche conditions

• Rapid temperature rise to near or above 0°C or wet surface snow.

Our group dug 3 pits at 2300m.

0-3cm ice crust

3-25cm moist round crystals (4 fingers)

25-50cm rounds (pencil)

Thin ice layer

50-100cm facets (fist)

One pit had PWL still apparent at 70cm, NE facing slope.

3 compression tests showed:

No reaction

M11, resistive planar collapse at 8-10cm

H27, resistive planar at 50cm

Turned

All

Moist

eARly

Afternoon

This was part of AST2 course with Alpine Air. Thanks to our guides who wish to remain anonymous.