Date of Observation: 11/28/2016
Name: Ian Havlick
Aspect: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West
Elevation: 10,000-11200
Avalanches: did not travel ATL, or on slopes steeper than 33º today, saw no avalanches, cracking, or collapsing.
Weather: Mid morning broken skies with spotty sun gave way to afternoon pulse with moderate snow showers becoming heavier and steadier throughout afternoon to sunset. Light to moderate west to north winds, especially on exposed ridgelines near treeline. Temperatures remained cold, with high of 16.
Snowpack: 21″ storm snow as of sunset, with 1.7″ SWE. Snow fell right-side up, lighter density snow falling on top as temps continued to plummet into late afternoon when we finished tour. Winds were actively transporting snow into 3-5 foot drifts. Nearer to treeline, wind was stiffening upper 10-12″ snow into a noticeably stiffer slab. Lots of terrain texture, downed trees, rocks, etc BTL…didnt seem like much avalanche concern in this type of terrain yet…
Dug several pits. On a 33º WSW facing slope, around 10,800ft, the nov. 21 facets were apparent and reactive with repeatable ECT failing on isolation.
On north facing, BTL, 25º slope in Anthracites, found 2 distinct layers of 3-4mm surface hoar 30cm from ground, ECTP17 RP. Digging on East bowl, found this surface hoar again–could be an issue with stiffening/settling slab in future?
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