Observations from Forestdale

I went to the unnamed peak at the headwaters of Forestdale Creek (AKA Cole Bowl and Boarder Bowl), to assess wind loading. Along the way, I observed 4-6" of new snow in wind sheltered terrain. Once I got close to the ridge near Cole Bowl, I could see current wind loading (video), and I found wind deposits 3x the amount in wind sheltered terrain. Extended Column Tests indicated propagation was likely on a density change midway through the wind loaded snow. The graupel at the new/old interface was there, but my ECTs did not propagate on it, and informal tests showed decent bonding - but this will still be worth considering with additional loading.

When I moved into Boarder Bowl, I saw a prominent older crown, with new but shallower crowns nearby. I also saw where someone had triggered a very small fracture lower down and farther away from the most obvious wind loading. Then, when returning to the Hope Valley sno-park, I saw a recent avalanche on Steven's Peak. After taking a photo and zooming in, I could count the tracks both in and out to see that nobody was harmed. Later, the people involved posted a report here.