Observation type
Snowpack

Observer
Hans Ludwig

Keep me anonymous if published
no

Location (general area)
Kratka Ridge

Latitude

Longitude

Date (yyyymmdd)
20190223

Time
1015

Road conditions to area
Clear and icy

Temperature
-3.7 C (25 F)

Sky
clear (no clouds)

Wind speed
Light (1-16mph Flags/twigs in motion)

Wind direction
W

Wind direction in degrees

Slope aspect
North

Aspect in degrees

Slope angle
28

Elevation
7200

Snow depth
128 cm (50")

Boot/ Ski penetration
25 cm

Precipitation
None

Activity, recent avalanches
No

Brief description

Whumphing noises, shooting cracks. collapsing
yes

Rapid warming
yes

Obvious avalanche path
yes

Terrain trap
yes

Comment
Clear and cold early on.  
Dust on crust was the name of the game and wind slab was the avalanche problem.  
HS 2-4' well covered.
Wind scoured new snow to the early January multi-crust and deposited it in predictable, very soft pockets and hollow sounding windslabs near ridges.
Windslabs were highly reactive when thin. Test slopes showed only minor activity. 
Around noon, temps increased above freezing and the soft, wind-transported snow became glop in the sun.

Publish this observation
Yes I would like this observation Published

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Pit profile

Note chalky wind blown snow in foreground and reflective crust