Date of Observation: 01/02/2016
Name: Zach Guy
Aspect: South East, South
Elevation: 11,000-12,000 ft
Avalanches:
Weather: Scattered, thin clouds increased in coverage and thickness through the day. Calm winds. High of 34 at 10k
Snowpack: Widespread near surface faceting.
Checked out the bedsurface of a Christmas cycle avalanche on ESE aspect above treeline. Above the crusty bed surface, there was a foot of recent new snow faceting quickly. Advanced 1mm facets above the crust, widespread, F hard.
1 crown profile and one test profile on S aspects near treeline, showed 70 to 100 cm slab over crust/facet sandwiches. The facet/crust layers were more continuous and more reactive where trees had shaded the snowpack. See attached profiles and photos.
Crown Profile, S aspect near treeline
Test profile, S aspect NTL
Crust facet sandwich anyone? S aspect NTL, below 90 cm slab.
Crown profile, S aspect NTL
Bed surface of Christmas cycle slide. ESE aspect ATL. Advanced facets forming above crusty bed surface.