Observation type
Snowpack​

Observer
Allen Giernet 

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
Kratka Ridge area

Latitude


Longitude


Date (yyyymmdd)
20220206

Time
1428

Road conditions to area
Clear and dry - scattered rocks 

Temperature
6.7°C/ 44°F

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Strong (26-38mph Whole trees in motion)

Wind direction
NE

Wind direction in degrees


Slope aspect
North West

Aspect in degrees
340°

Slope angle
35°

Elevation
2,259M/ 7412'

Snow depth
83cm/ 32.6 in.

Boot/ Ski penetration
PF 17 cm/ PS 3.5cm

Precipitation
None
Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description


Comment
1:30 pm 
Winds were moderate to gusty. At the road there was icy slick surfaces right by the car. The hike up the hill was slick and firm. Boot packed area was water ice and some of the trail was melted out to ground. 
Huge sun caps at the base were mostly firm with some softening even though they were in direct sun. 
There was a firm crust for most of the skin uphill occasionally on aspects east of North slight surface softening was noted. Surface melt freeze crust varied from 2.5cm to 6cm was mostly supportable on skis but breakable on foot. Just below crust was 25 cm of sugary rounding facets. There were several melt freeze crusts in the profile with a 12cm block of ice at the bottom. Due to the winds surface temp was kept below freezing even in the sun at this low elevation. There was little to no surface softening noted on the descent. Snow was edgeable in areas but firm and icy on most of the descent and exiting into firm sun cups and trampled snow made for some tooth rattling riding at the bottom. Winds increased during the afternoon and by 3:00pm temperatures felt much colder. At 3:40 and 6,788’ AT was 7.4c. Wind chill was keeping snow below freezing. Surface temp was -0.2°C. There was no sign of moisture in snow even at these lower elevations at this time. In this area we did not observe any signs of instability or wet slides, recent or from the past several days.  

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

Pit Profile

pit

looking at avalanche canyon from Hwy 2