[MCR] Rockies April 6-8

Subject: [MCR] Rockies April 6-8
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 16:54:09 -0600 (MDT)
Observations from the ASG exam in the Rockies from April 6-8
Terrain: Mt Field, Cirque Peak, Mt Olive, Observation Peak, Mt Crowfoot

Snowpack: HS at treeline on avarage 150 cm but highly variable, in the Alpine 
reaching 300 cm but highly variable.
In Alpine , recent strong wind has created isolated windslabs in immediate lee 
which overlays 20-30 cm of unconsolidated snow, this is sitting over strong mid 
pack but resting on a very weak basal layer of facets and depth hoar.

Wx: We experienced temps from -10  to freezing level raising to 2400 m 
yesterday. The last three days had the accumulation of up to 5cm of new snow 
and protected areas kept the skiing good in sheltered areas.
Moderate to strong winds in the past three days from the SW.

Avy: Main concern is still the deep persistent weak layers in the basal facets 
and depth hoar. With bigger loads, i.e. cornice failures, skiers in shallow 
snow pack areas and/or warming these layers could become reactive again.

Hias Ahrens and the ASG exam team



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