Observation Date: 12/12/2015

Route/Location:
Given the sketchy conditions dug a number of pits near pt 6 on Fri and Sat. Variable is the word but also found some reasonable safe snow. On E and NE slopes we didn’t have any of the whoompfing or collapsing people are reporting, none in 2 days of skiing.
Our pits were as follows
South 7800′ aspect: one pit total snowpack 30cm of firm consolidated snow on rock, a 2nd pit a firm and supportable 20cm slab on top of 20cm cold snow including some depth hoar just below the slab, with the column failing at the hoar at 20cm below the surface once it was isolated and given a little pressure.
NE 7800′: 75 cm total snow, softslab fails CT9 at 15 cm below the surface. Below this snow is fairly consolidated to the ground with a Q2, CT20 failure at an old crust at 35cm below the surface. Depth hoar nearly absent.
E 7000-7800′: 3 pits each similar with about 80cm total snow, and very similar structure to NE, that is a softslab fails CT9 at 15 cm below the surface. Below this snow is fairly consolidated to the ground with a Q2, CT20 failure at an old crust 35cm below the surface.

Weather:
Snowing lightly and 20’s F.

Wind:
Variable.

New Snow: 3-6″

Avalanche Activity:
None.

Other Comments:

Observer: Ian M