20-21

Pit test summary:
total depth:
140cm

First did ECT
Had ECTN21 on one ~35cm down (105 cm from bottom). Wasn’t even a clean break. Just kind of broke apart.
Got no other breaks. When collapsing the column after the entire thing slid clean off on a layer ~85cm down (55 from bottom).

So we did a follow up CT.
CT22 on the layer ~35cm down (105 cm from bottom).
CT30 on the layer ~85cm down (55 from bottom). We really laid into it on the final few hits to see if we could get it to break.

We found 75-80 cm of snow at approx. 9550 feet, SE aspect with two solar/melt-freeze crusts at 60 and 35 cm. Results from our extended column were ETCN24 on the lower melt/freeze crust. This layer was clearly visible in the pit, but surprisingly not very dense. The shear quality from our CT was mostly smooth, but held no shear energy. No results on the upper solar crust; perhaps a shovel tilt would have provided more information due to the soft 11/25 storm snow. Also surprising was the the lack of weak, large grain facets at the ground. Either an oversight on our part or only time will remind us that we live in a continental snowpack afterall : )

A few small natural point release loose snow avalanches were noted near rocks and buttresses. Wind was evident from Thursday-Friday with cornices and small sastrugi on high elevation north facing aspects. Nil to light wind loading today. Observations in photo attached (please don't share). Excellent day for wiggles.

Thanks for all you do guys! Looking forward to regular forecasts soon.

Went up Palace Butte and Maid of the Mist today, and in the process got a good tour of all aspects above 9000 ft. The snowpack is highly variable, with north aspects generally 1m deep and weak, foot pen to the ground, and south aspects shallower with mixed crusts and facets, 15-50cm foot pen. I got a good look around and noticed widespread wind texture across the area, and suspect challenging skiing awaits those who venture above treeline. Over the course of the day we traversed many slopes in the 35-45 degree range, on multiple aspects, some of which were heavily wind loaded, and did not see any cracking, collapsing, or signs of avalanche activity. I also observed the largest facets I have noticed yet this season, at the base of the pack on S aspect, 9000 ft, HS 60cm. 2+mm, cup shape and striations visible. Things are setting up to be quite interesting above treeline when/if it snows.

This snowpit at Bridger Bowl was on a shaded ENE aspect at 7,800'. The lower two thirds are mostly sugary, weak facets with a hard crust in the middle. This weak snow is not the best foundation for the winter's snowpack. Photo: GNFAC

Under the Schlasman's chairlift at Bridger on November 29, 2020. Snow depth ranged from 3" to 18". Conditions were generally very shallow and rocky. Photo: GNFAC

Small slab avalanche observed on 11/28 near Cooke City. East aspect, 9,000' elevation. Photo: B. Fredlund