My own snowpit observation (Loveland Pass, Feb 3)

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We've all been reading about how sketchy the Colorado snow pack is.

So, Scott and I decided to do a reconnaissance mission up into Coon Hill, on Loveland Pass. This is the same area from my previous post from January's snow study.

In the same spot we dug our pit from January we found it to be very sturdy. (30 degrees above treeline, East Facing) It looks like the wind did a lot here because last month it the layers were numerous and very unstable. This was a little strange to us, but we know that this area is still one of those... it's mostly fine, until it slides all the way to the ground.

What was not fine was our second pit. This pit was at 30 degrees at treeline on an East facing slope. The snow was soft here, not wind buffeted. Just stepping off our skis to dig the pit sent off a "womph" and cracks. It was about 4 feet to the ground and went on the third hit from an elbow swing. The part that broke off was nearly three feet and slid on top of what I now call diamonds. Because when you inspect it in your hands, it looks like Tom Shane from Shane Co dumped a bag of loose diamonds into your glove. There are many unstable layers below this whose granulars get larger, closer to the ground.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tTp5O2dAC...0312133327.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cKBtZ9240...0312133553.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKA6g8_4S9...0312133844.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJbSfjmy58...0312134217.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28gLITJpXb...0312134008.jpg

Thanks for the observations, this was very informative, and interesting the effect the wind can have at times. Did you find any facets at all above treeline?

in the future, these posts should go in another forum (the slide zone), which is targeted towards snowpack observations and avalanche talk in general. That way, people looking for snowpack observations can find them more easily. They can get lost quickly in the main forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little_ey

Because when you inspect it in your hands, it looks like Tom Shane from Shane Co dumped a bag of loose diamonds into your glove.

this brought the lols

Ugh. Gives me the willys.

be weary of false stable results in your snowpits! thanks for the info.