Observation Date: 01/10/2015

Route/Location:
6800 ft east aspect of the central bitterroot at a roll over of approx 40degrees. Had some time to dig holes because the skiing was suboptimal! 180-200 cm total snow. We had a failure at 30cm deep CT8 and 15 in 2 pits with a Q2 or 3 surface. Deeper down two surfaces of old hoar still very apparent at 120 and 130 cm (60 cm above the ground here). Steve did a propagation saw test at 120 cm and the saw made it 2/3 or more of the way through the column before it collapsed and didn’t appear likely to propagate. Overall the snow was pretty well settled but not the concrete midpack you might expect.

Weather:
Dry 30 degrees.

Wind:
None.

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
Nothing but some old crusty roller balls and old cornice falls from the warm up.

Other Comments:

Observer: Ian M