Public Field Report

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We traveled up the ridge from the hot springs parking (NE facing) through a true facet factory from 6,200'-8,000'. In many places along the ridge, we also saw surface hoar growing. There was more surface hoar lower down on the ridge. Towards the top there was a wind crust. We dug a quick pit (7,600' NW 28 degree slope) and did two shovel shear tests and two compression tests. The snow depth was 110 cm. Both compression tests were CTN. On the first shovel shear test we got STH at 65 cm. On the second we got STM at 10 cm. The top 30 cm were facets and below that was a bit of a slab. There were more facets near the bottom with an ice crust on the ground.