Public Field Report

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

Toured into Buccal Gulch today out of Baker Creek. We observed isolated cracking and collapsing on a southerly facing slope at just over 8000 feet, but that was it. On an almost directly east facing slope at 8200 feet, we dug a snow pit and received a stability test result of ECTP-14, with the fracture occurring on the layer of surface hoar that is widespread throughout the advisory area. This surface hoar layer was sitting atop a rather firm crust. Further up, on a northeast facing slope at approximately 9200 feet, we received a result of ECTX. The layer of surface hoar was still visually present in this snow pit, but was not nearly as pronounced. Also, to our surprise, the snow near the ground was not severely weak either (about one finger hardness). However, given the widespread avalanche activity that has been observed recently and our own observations, we still decided to stay clear of steep slopes and consequential terrain.