Observation type
Snowpack
Observer
Allen Giernet
Keep me anonymous if published
no
Location (general area)
Mt. Baden Powell north face
Date (yyyymmdd)
20130217
Time
1:20pm
Road conditions to area
Clear and dry
Temperature
0°c
Sky
clear (no clouds)
Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)
Wind direction
W
Slope aspect
North
Aspect in degrees
10°
Slope angle
35°
Elevation
8800'
Snow depth
60cm
Boot/ Ski penetration
Ski 6cm
Precipitation
None
Activity, recent avalanches
No
Brief description
Upon exiting through a NE drainage found frozen avai debris near bottom partially covered by the last storm snow, probably wet slide debris
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
no
Rapid warming
no
Obvious avalanche path
no
Terrain trap
no
Comment
   This observation was on a moderately treed slope (great for tree skiing) sheltered and almost due North.

Profile is as follows: temp:
1cm crust 4F surf. -5°c 
14cm recent snow F above crust -5°c
5cm rain crust (refrozen water saturated grains) K
5cm of 1.5mm rounding facets F -3°c
2cm melt freeze crust K
6cm 1 - 1.5 mm facets F -2°c
2cm melt freeze crust P
5cm 1.5mm rounding facets 4F
2cm crust 1F
Rounding facets 2mm to the ground

2 ECT tests:
1st ECTN 17 Q2
2nd ECTN 27 Q2
   On both tests I got collapse under the shovel with no propagation across the column. 
The section collapsed but did not jump out. 
After 1st test I tried a shovel shear on the remaining 60cm and it popped with very little pressure and fell to my feet.
   Of course the shovel shear is not quantifiable but note worthy none the less.
   Also while digging the pit the 5cm ice layer is very solid so while trying to clean an edge the faceted layer beneath would shoot out from under the layer. Ultimately I had to use the snow saw to clean a wall across the front and maintain the structure. Again the ice layer was very solid so I was striking it with a tremendous amount of force when getting that response.
   General conditions between 10:40am and 2:30pm :
East slopes mostly melted out accept where treed.
Snow became some what consist just below 7000' but thin in many areas. 
   Accept where melted to the ground recent snow was on an ice crust with no bonding. While booting and skinning on steeper slopes even in ski crampons continued sliding on crust as snow had no attachment.
About 7500' noticed snow on crust with consolidated snow below
About 8000' snow on crust with facets below.
   Descended a slightly E of N drainage back to car on my splitboard. Upper slopes mixed powder and bullet proof in trees. Once in drainage powder most of the way down. Again lots of heavy sloughing as there was no bond of the recent snow to thick crust below. Snow was deep enough to get good powder turns but still had to watch for rocks in some areas. Lower part of drainage was filled with frozen avi debris as noted above.
   Ultimately I would use extra on caution on any slopes over 30° as the pit tests are isolated areas and there is definitely week layers beneath the crust. Watch for signs of whompfing, shooting cracks and hollow sounds. Just be very aware.
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Ice layer with shear plane on right and facets clinging 

Frozen wet slide debris partially covered by 2-8 snow