21 Jan 2012

Yesterday afternoon the barometer headed for the basement!!
It was snowing 3 cm an hour last night at times.
At 2280 meters it was -4.5 at 06:00, winds were SSE at 50-60 KPH. At 1550 meters it was -2, 99% humidity and the barometer was steady. We received 20 cm of new snow. Ski cutting produced a few size 1 soft slabs yesterday afternoon.

Below are some pictures and a profile submitted by Braden Douglas. They used the shovel shear test twice to produce a very easy shear on a very deep layer that is likely below the October 15 th crust.

Looks like it broke just above the saw.
Heavy column
Profile was recorded on Pit Pod
2012-01-19T11:40:32-08:00 Braden and Todd Moderate Good Good Quick Pit top down CDN Coast BC S mb Prev S 20 20 -13.5 1 m/s 2 2012-01-19T11:40:32-08:00 117 FEW Nil -8 1 S 195 0.0 1.0 SH 2.0 F D 1.0 20.0 PP 1.0 F 21.0 7.0 RGxf 1.0 4F D 28.0 1.0 IFrc 0.1 P 29.0 23.0 RGxf 1.0 4F 52.0 10.0 RG 0.5 F 62.030.0 RG 0.3 P 92.0 2.0 IFrc 0.1 1F M 94.0 8.0 RG 0.5 P Laminated rain crust and facets 102.0 5.0 IFrc K Failure layer 107.0 10.0 FC 0.5 4F D 0 -13.5 10 -12.520 -10.5 30 -7.5 40 -6.5 50 -5 60 -4.5 70 -3 80 -2.5 90 -2 100 -1.5 110 -1.5 Lesser flute Ski Area - Backcountry conditions 1620 337 12 50.0544 -122.917

Shovel shear x2 very easy with same result. Sudden planer. Column failed with shovel only partially inserted. No pressure.


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Avalanche awareness days are being held at the top of Solar Coaster, turn left and look for the sign. January 21 & 22, 2012