Date of Observation: 12/19/2016
Name: EM
Aspect: North, North East, East
Elevation: 9400 – 10500
Avalanches: Numerous from past weekends natural cycle which were partially filled in. no real recent activity in past 24hrs.
Weather: Cold air temps with generally calm air. Did notice on rare occasion small amounts of transport on highest most exposed terrain.
Snowpack: While traveling mostly on Northeasterly terrain I found the ski pen around 15 cm and boot pet around 40cm. Snow surface appears to be faceting from cold clear nights. Riding conditions were very supportive. Acended existing ski track but got off track numerous times in undisturbed snow and jumped vigoursouly without any noticeable collapsing.
At one location 10,100, ENE, 30*, open meadow in gladed terrain with minimal wind impact, I found an HS of 140cm. Test results were ECTx, x, N Brk at 88cm from ground on what appeared to be graupel/rimed particles. Whille conducting profile I was able to still identify buried NSF (likely dec. 6th) and two different graupel/rimed particle layers from recent snows. Although I didn’t get results on these layers during test, I was able to smash the column on ground producing planer fractures on the above mentioned layers.