We sought to identify a deadly problem that has been plaguing some unfortunate riders recently.
What is the problem that we are dealing with?
2/14/2012 @ 2:30pm on Forgotten Trees with an elev.
10,200-10,400 (estimated from topo).
Small clearing in trees on N-facing Aspect below treeline of 30 degrees.
Sky: Fluctuating from broken to overcast.
Wind: Calm to Light.
Temp Air: -6.5 deg C. Precip: Very Light (S-1).
Temp Surface @ 150cm: -6.5 deg.
C
No Red Flags besides the low-moderate obvious wind loading of leeward aspects.
<150 DF’s (decomp & frag.
precip particles) 1.5mm F+ -6.5 deg.
C
140 DF’s (decomposing & frag.
1.5mm F+ -6.0 deg.
C
130 DF’s (decomposing & frag.
1.5mm F -6.0 deg.
C
120 FCsf (near surface faceted particles) 1-2mm F -5.5 deg.
C
110 FCxr (Rounding Faceted Particles) 1.0mm F -5.0 deg.
C
100 RG’s (Rounded Grains) 0.5-1.0mm F -4.5 deg.
C
80 RG’s (Rounded Grains) 1.0mm 4F -3.5 deg.
C
70 RG’s (Rounded Grains) 1.0mm 4F -3.0 deg.
C
60 DH (Depth Hoar) 3.0mm <60cm F+ -2.5 deg.
C
50 DH (Depth Hoar) 3.0mm F+ -2.0 deg.
C
40 DH (Depth Hoar) 3.0mm F+ -2.0 deg.
C
30 DH (Depth Hoar) 3.0mm F+ -1.5 deg.
C
20 DH (Depth Hoar) 3.0mm F+ -1.0 deg.
C
10 DH (Depth Hoar) 3.0mm F+ -1.0 deg.
This indicated a collapse and even propagation, but no sudden planar or resistant planar shear @ 30 deg.
So that would put us at ECTP23.
That’s all the snow-geek and SWAGger I got for ya!
