[MCR] Rockies April 6-8

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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