Everything Avalanches 2017/2018

[skegpro]

Just wanted a place to learn, share and discuss avalanche conditions and dissect persistent problems in the snowpack.

 

[skegpro]

Will surface hoar heal the same as a rain crust or is this layer going to be active all season?

If it can heal, how?

What will make this layer worse?
What will make it better?

 

[pano-dude]

The hoar is layer is mostly below tree line in my area. I don't think it will heal, needs to rip out with the new snow.

 

[skegpro]

Yeah thats what I was afraid of. gonna need a big avalanche cycle to release the demons.

Problem is most folks feel safe in the trees, this is one of the rare times where the alpine may be safer than the trees/treeline.

 

[skegpro]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=fWiYfGoLl-s

 

[skegpro]

https://youtu.be/P09pZbPKy9U

 

[niner]

https://youtu.be/fWiYfGoLl-s

thought this was interesting also.

 

[skegpro]

https://youtu.be/Jf4QdU3Io04

 

[snopro]

https://youtu.be/Jf4QdU3Io04

Good perspective how some one can get glitched in an area that is affected by a slide in another area. A guy I know from Alberta was killed that very same scenario. Playing in a safe area that was consumed by a slide from a higher area. I guess when its your time.....

 

[skegpro]

Good perspective how some one can get glitched in an area that is affected by a slide in another area. A guy I know from Alberta was killed that very same scenario. Playing in a safe area that was consumed by a slide from a higher area. I guess when its your time.....

Yeah, also a good reminder that you always need be fully aware of what is going on above you at all times.

And same applies to parking in a safe spot.

I think the rule of thumb is the hill can run out 3-5 times as it is tall?

 

[CUSO]

This is a great video. It's worth the watch.

 

[skegpro]

Another interesting one.

The problem with skiing is you have to always be on a significant slope to keep moving.

https://youtu.be/cjzT15-oQq0

 

[skegpro]

Can any translate this for me.
Some guys go full acronym in this MIN reports.

Cold day at the parking lot (-20 at 0900 hrs). Day remained cold in the shade (-18 at 1145 hrs at about 1700m). HS 197 cm in area probed. 60 cm snow overlies Dec SH/FC combo. SH 3 - 4 mm. The upper 60 cm is composed of 30 cm F on top of 30 cm 4F sitting on top of the SH/FC combo. Test results on NE aspect at about 1700m were CTH 24 SP dn 60 on the December SH/FC layer. In the area skied, evidence of surface sluffing to size 1-1.5. Ski test on small steep (40 degrees) slope produced only surface sluffing (top 30 com). Ski quality was excellent however we stayed away from steeper terrain with convexities. 

 

[polaris011]

Can any translate this for me.
Some guys go full acronym in this MIN reports.

Cold day at the parking lot (-20 at 0900 hrs). Day remained cold in the shade (-18 at 1145 hrs at about 1700m). HS 197 cm in area probed. 60 cm snow overlies Dec SH/FC combo. SH 3 - 4 mm. The upper 60 cm is composed of 30 cm F on top of 30 cm 4F sitting on top of the SH/FC combo. Test results on NE aspect at about 1700m were CTH 24 SP dn 60 on the December SH/FC layer. In the area skied, evidence of surface sluffing to size 1-1.5. Ski test on small steep (40 degrees) slope produced only surface sluffing (top 30 com). Ski quality was excellent however we stayed away from steeper terrain with convexities. 

Ya I took a refresher AST 1 course I have a couple noobs that I wanted to take the course and figured it wouldn't hurt me to go again. Anyways that was one thing he was saying is annoying with these reports. People try to talk like experts on a report that is meant for the laymen's! Its sweet that we have access to these but are useless if we can't understand

 

[skegpro]

Ya I took a refresher AST 1 course I have a couple noobs that I wanted to take the course and figured it wouldn't hurt me to go again. Anyways that was one thing he was saying is annoying with these reports. People try to talk like experts on a report that is meant for the laymen's! Its sweet that we have access to these but are useless if we can't understand

It would be nice if avalanche.ca had a Acronym list so a guy could convert to laymen's terms.

It's not rocket science, but it's pretty hard to learn decifpher greek.

 

[skegpro]

Anyone have a good link to an acronym list?

 

[skegpro]

Interesting snow in Wyoming right now.
Video in link.

https://buckrail.com/avalanche-happens-looks-like-buried-one/amp/

 

[CUSO]

You are supposed to make your own assessment pertaining to your location. These acronyms can be a bit confusing for sure. A more general 'layman term' description is in Avalanche.ca Otherwise for the average Joe, I think it would be confusing anyways.. http://kootenayavalanchecourses.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/COMMON-SYMBOLS.pdf

Ya I took a refresher AST 1 course I have a couple noobs that I wanted to take the course and figured it wouldn't hurt me to go again. Anyways that was one thing he was saying is annoying with these reports. People try to talk like experts on a report that is meant for the laymen's! Its sweet that we have access to these but are useless if we can't understand

 

[skegpro]

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of low density new snow from last week has buried a layer of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets. This new snow is expected to start to consolidate into a slab once forecast warmer temperatures take effect, but so far the upper snow has been remained light and soft. Of greater concern is a weak layer buried mid-December that consists of surface hoar, a sun crust and/or sugary facets, and is now down approximately 50-70cm.The bond at this interface is highly variable. The most concerning areas are those that saw pronounced surface hoar development before mid-December, such as sheltered areas at and below treeline, sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine, or anywhere the surface hoar formed on top of a sun crust. Recent snowpack tests show wide ranging reactivity on this weak layer but suggest that it may be most reactive on northerly aspects. A rain crust that formed in late November is now buried 80-120cm deep. Treeline snow depths are in the region of 200 cm.

Avalanche.ca^

This dirty raincrust/megahoar sure is a problem........

 

[skegpro]

http://fox13now.com/2017/12/28/utah...t-of-avalanche-says-one-thing-saved-his-life/