Date of Observation: 12/28/2016
Name: Briant Wiles
Aspect: East
Elevation: 11,000
Avalanches:
Weather: Overcast with periods of light snow. Calm to light winds out of the west mid day becoming stronger and gusty in the afternoon. Robust snow transport beginning in the afternoon at ridge top level.
Snowpack: Dug around a bit on the approach. HS was 160cm. Found the NSF or buried surface hoar layer that has been discussed in recent forecast discussions. It was 30cms down snow above was starting to gain cohesion but was still fist to 4F. This layer was reactive to shovel shear and CT tests with clean failure planes. It will be interesting to see what will happen on this layer with the next load of snow. Also of note in this location the DH at the ground was 10cms and consisted of wet 1-1.5mm rounding facets. Mid pack was very stiff, 1F or greater and was difficult to distinguish the various storm layers. Rode slopes up to 35 degrees with no signs of instability.