Persistent Weak Layer

Same

Our take was that the INTACT snowpack of greater depth shows very good healing, and swayed our choices toward steeper N-facing terrain that has not slid this year. But, we were looking for and found shallower snowpack(2.5-3ft) nearby on similar aspects within 100' of the deep intact snowpack on the same aspect at the same elevation . Take away here is this shallow pack in steep terrain is to be respected as it is the same structure as the very recent Pointy Peak/Shale Ridge fatal avalanche. Our to-the-ground pit In upper Deso. revealed what we like to call "bomber" structure top to bottom. But.......in the shallow areas that we found very close by held faceted & hollow form snow only 20-30" deep evidenced by many hand pits that needs to be respected. Again, I worry about this shallow, faceted snowpack as problematic going forward, as it may pose a problem in the future. Tricky, because as time goes by, more storms will load it. Will it propagate into the stronger snowpack structures nearby later with more loading? Good question. Now is the time to dig pits in questionable areas so as to have more information about what you plan to step onto.