[MCR] Snow Spider Mt Coast Range

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

We skied on the N face of Snow Spider yesterday. We saw evidence of 3
separate Na size 1.5-2 on South aspects near 2000m. They appeared to be
radiation triggered with the recent snowfall of 25 cm failing on the
Suncrust. Although small the propagation was very broad and they ran far,
one went close to full path. 

 

A Test Profile in a sheltered Treeline location on the North side at 2000m
revealed well preserved Jan 04 Surface Hoar crystals up to 10mm in size down
60cm from the surface, and producing sudden planar shears in the low end of
moderate Compression Test range. 

 

Another profile at 2150m in an alpine bowl showed decomposing Surface Hoar
crystal 3-5mm in size and producing sudden planar shears in the upper end of
moderate range when we did Compression tests. We witnessed no cracking and
had no ski test results. However this layer is definitely a concern in
specific locations and could become reactive with increased load. 

 

Additionally there was much whumping in the valley bottom on the newest
Surface Hoar layer which I observed earlier in the week under Mt Joffre as
large as 20mm and as high as 1600m. Play safe with additional snow
accumulation.

Tim Pochay

MG

 

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