[MCR] Rogers Pass Ursus area

Subject: [MCR] Rogers Pass Ursus area
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:51:25 -0800
Skied Dispatchers/Ursus Trees area today. 

Lots of whumpfs and shooting cracks in Ursus Trees. The culprit layer is 
surface hoar on top of a suncrust on top of facets. This is buried by 50 cm of 
low density snow. We had a Rutschblock score of 1 on this layer - it failed 
while cutting the block. 

Another group triggered a size 1 wind slab on an open slope at tree line in 
Dispatchers. It only propagated about 7 m and didn't run far. It failed on 
surface hoar down 50 cm (no suncrust here) and the slab was very soft. 

I think this layer is on the verge of being overloaded on a widespread basis 
and it is going to be reactive when it is. The slab just needs to be a bit 
stiffer. 

Mark Klassen
ACMG-IFMGA Mountain Guide
alpinism.com

Sent from my mobile device for which I refuse to advertise
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