I went out with the goal of evaluating PWL problems below treeline, which for us is still quite high (10,000') compared to the rest of the state. On a NE aspect I found a shallow snowpack 117 cms deep. The bottom 60 cms are faceted though some rounding and strengthening is occurring between 40-60. The bottom 40 cms are depth hoar. I also observed a layer of surface hoar 22 cms down that proved to be reactive (ECTP24). The basal facets failed at ECTP 26. I don't think the surface hoar will prove to be widepsread, but the basal facets remain a concern at all elevations wherever we have a shallow snowpack.
Clearly defined surface hoar layer.
Extended column test results on surface hoar layer.
No doubt that surface hoar is what it is!
Extended column test results on basal facets.
I also poked around on a couple of west aspects looking for the face crust combo that produced an avalanche about a week ago. I didn't find it on one slope that was shaded by trees, but I found it on a more sun exposed slope. An extended column test produced no results. (ECTX)
