Observation type - Snowpack
Observer - Allen Giernet
Keep me anonymous if published - no
Location (general area) - Mt, Baden Powell
Date (yyyymmdd) - 2014/12/20
Time - 10:10am
Road conditions to area - clear
Temperature - 35F/2C
Sky - Overcast (sky covered)
Wind speed - Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)
Wind direction - NW
Slope aspect - North East
Aspect in degrees - 40
Slope angle - 19
Elevation - 7,800'/ 2,380m
Snow depth - 15"/ 38cm
Boot/ Ski penetration - 9"/ 23cm// 1.5"/ 3cm
Precipitation - None
Activity, recent avalanches - yes
Brief description - Roller balls and pinwheels
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing - no
Rapid warming - yes
Obvious avalanche path - no
Terrain trap - no
Comment - We were able to skin right from the car and skinning was very easy as the snow was nice powder conditions. Skies were mostly to completely overcast which produced signs of terrestrial warming i.e. roller balls and pinwheels produced from snow falling off the tree branches. Air temps. were hovering right around freezing with a windchill below freezing, this kept the snow in fine condition throughout the day.

We performed a pit test at 7,800'/ 2,380m 
Aspect NE
∠ 19°
10:10am
see attached file for pit profile

Another study was performed at 8,800'/ 2,680m
On snow field above Lamel springs drainage
Aspect NE
∠32° 
Air temp 28°/ -2c
time noon
Snow depth 20"/ 51cm
between 9"/23cm & 10"/ 25cm we found a mix of large facetted grains and graupel
STE Q1
CT 24+1 Q2 on this layer
a solid crust at 30cm - early november storm snow

At 3:30pm on west drainage (west of main drainage) 
no pit test but of note we saw extensive roller ball activity mainly from rock outcroppings and snow sluffing from tree branches
Some minor point release sluffs were noted in side drainages on the decent

Also noted wind crust on ridge line and summit, small cornices on some east and northern ridges

Southern aspects were wind scoured and thin

Wind loading was apparent on Northerly aspects especially NE.

Riding was fantastic down to 7,000'/ 2,130m and lots of debris lower from previous riders and side drainage sluffing. Some what thin at lower exit but still fantastic day. 

Publish this observation - Yes I would like this observation Published
Skinning towards summit 
Pit profile from 7,800'