Observation Date: 12/23/2019

Route/Location:
Rode lift up, then skinned the ridge to the top of Chair 4, and we toured out the Montana/Idaho Divide to look at the snow pack. We then went back the way we came up.

Weather:
Overcast and -3 C.

Wind:
Light winds out of the SW, not much snow transport. Most of the snow has already been transported.

New Snow: No New Snow

Avalanche Activity:
Cracking and localized collapsing. Boot penetration was to the ground once you got off your skis.

Other Comments:
Variable snow depths across slopes throughout the tour ranging from 1.5 feet to 3 feet. We dug snow pits and found propagation, failing near the ground in faceted snow. PST 29x100cm END on facets below the decomposing crust, 30cm from the ground. CT13SC also 30cm from the ground. We did not get propagation in the ECT. The general poor structure gives us low confidence. A stable result in a snow pit plays a low role in my decision making process and an unstable result plays a high role in my decision making process.

Observer: Todd Glew