CAIC

Details

Weather Description: 10,400' knob S/SE of Dream Lake, above summer trail. E/SE aspect, (10,360 pit location, just east of pt 10,400, 33-degree slope...). Strong-intense wind all day, W, intense blosno, but fetches getting stripped. Mostly sunny, temps upper 20s. Didn't dare peak into the alpine.

Snowpack Description: Building wind slabs NE-E-SE, well below treeline (down to 9800ft). 1F to P wind slabs building, from thin windskins in sheltered areas to 25cm wind slab in meadows and exposed areas. Numerous hand pits and three test pits from course verified widespread persistent-slab, though CT's were mostly unreactive/stubborn. 10,360 pit (mentioned above) had 4x CTN, 1 CTE Q2, 45cm down, but it was an isolated result. Variable and layered snowpits, several hand pits confirmed persistent slab, but no significant whumpfs, cracks during tour (back at car by 15:30). Wind slab problems seems to be creeping down below treeline. Unsupported slopes spooky (see avy ob), 35-plus-degree slopes worrisome where wind effected.

Avalanche Description: One avalanche observed. Ran on east-aspect on knob immediately south of Terrain Park, above the drainage/exit of Lake Haiyaha (10,180' approx). At rollover, crown appeared to be 30cm deep, approx 15m wide, ran down unsupported slope and over cliffs. We didn't tour over to the debris or start zone, but from 150m away it appeared to be at a 35-ish-degree start zone/rollover, very similar to the terrain in which we dug our pit and had one (questionable; student performed test) result---unsupported slope probably the the difference? Unknown trigger, but no tracks observed and not ski terrain (obviously cliffs out). Sorry, no pics. Owe you guys donuts.

Date

Location/Path

Elev

Asp

Type

Trig

SizeR

SizeD

2016/02/06 ^†

Rocky Mountain National Park

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