I went to the East Col from the Blackcomb Glacier
today. Winds had created varying density windslabs throughout the
alpine. We dug into the snow at 2340 meters elevation and the only
interesting feature found was a thin (5cm) pencil hardness wind slab above
a 4 finger hard layer 20cm below the surface. Where we dug this layer
was fracturing on an easy compression SP "popping out". This
layer might be a future problem with further loading. Everything deeper in
the snow pack was quite solid. At this elevation and
site ski penetration was 5-15cm and Foot Penetration was up to 30cm.
Air temperature was -2 at 2 pm. I saw no recent avalanches
activity. The way I saw it - the Hazard in the Alpine was
Moderate and the Stability Fair, but with limited
observations.
I've included a photo of the Spearhead
from the E Col. Sorry about the lack of definition.
Dave Sarkany, Ski
Guide
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