Adirondack CommunityAvalanche Project

Observation Details

A small group of AIRE1 students conducted several snowpack tests after recent snowfall (about 4" in last24hr). No significant loading, warming, or red flag events were observed. Temp was 25-30F. Moderate fog. Light winds. Hand shear tests were negative. First pit, NW facing (3,367', 29 degree slope, 12:00, height of snow 35cm): 4 finger hardness 0-20cm down, fist hardness 20-35cm down. CTM16RP @ 20cm, ECTN12 @ 7cm & ECTN17 @ 20cm. Second pit N facing (3,929', 27 degree slope, 13:30, variable height of snow/wind drifted to 125cm) CT9SP @ 7cm down, CT11SP @ 20cm down, CT18SP @ 28cm down ECTN15 @ 8cm down, ECTN23 @ 30 cm down. After ECT, block completely pulled out with moderate force. In summary, we observed newer, lower density (4 finger) snow of about 20cm on an icy bottom layer varying considerably in depth. At the lower elevation, the new snow appeared to bond to the older layer with less failure/concern. At the higher elevation, we observed more variability, reactivity, a weak bottom layer w/ facets & grains >1cm, and easy-moderate compression test failures at 7-8cm down in our snowpack tests.