Awesome. Understanding how to conduct tests and make observations is great info, but this kind of discussion about what that means for travel and skiing across such terrain is invaluable and very appreciated.
Since that faceted weak layer exists at the bottom of the snowpack, does that mean that slope will show instability throughout the entirety of the season? Or is there a possibility for it to fuse and become stronger?
This video was from last year. The layer did stick around for the entire season. It did not necessarily become stronger, but became very unlikely to trigger in February due to not receiving any load from new snow or wind for many weeks. It became an issue again when the snowpack got wet in March... A layered snowpack is bad news for wet slab avalanches as well.
The key information seemed to be the knowledge that the slab was thinner in other areas like further down the same aspect. How did you come to know that? Usually, a pit is dug on an aspect and you expect that pit to be a good representation of that aspect. Here, you're saying it's not. Are several pits on the same aspect at different elevations necessary?
He doesn't know for sure that it will be thinner, but he also doesn't know that it won't be. Not entering avalanche terrain will keep him out of danger completely, and the avalanche center will always err far to the side of caution especially in the informational videos. For all we know, they might have made this video and skied it anyway because deep down these guys want to shred pow like the rest of us.
"should you ski it" such a great video concept. 99% of videos talk about how to run the tests. Few talk about how to interpret them
It’s because everyone digs a pit just to film, and then skis regardless of results
Finally a video which states whether or not it is skiable or not. Thank you
Awesome. Understanding how to conduct tests and make observations is great info, but this kind of discussion about what that means for travel and skiing across such terrain is invaluable and very appreciated.
this poor guy gets to ski like 1 good slope per year lol...
Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
Since that faceted weak layer exists at the bottom of the snowpack, does that mean that slope will show instability throughout the entirety of the season? Or is there a possibility for it to fuse and become stronger?
This video was from last year. The layer did stick around for the entire season. It did not necessarily become stronger, but became very unlikely to trigger in February due to not receiving any load from new snow or wind for many weeks. It became an issue again when the snowpack got wet in March... A layered snowpack is bad news for wet slab avalanches as well.
@@MTavalanche Surely most snowpacks are become layered through the season, is that right?
The key information seemed to be the knowledge that the slab was thinner in other areas like further down the same aspect. How did you come to know that? Usually, a pit is dug on an aspect and you expect that pit to be a good representation of that aspect. Here, you're saying it's not. Are several pits on the same aspect at different elevations necessary?
He doesn't know for sure that it will be thinner, but he also doesn't know that it won't be. Not entering avalanche terrain will keep him out of danger completely, and the avalanche center will always err far to the side of caution especially in the informational videos. For all we know, they might have made this video and skied it anyway because deep down these guys want to shred pow like the rest of us.
I would ski it. With the exception of having a jet pack strapped on while I'm going down to make sure I fly away
What about if it was in a more tree dense area ofering anchoring ? Would you ski this?
This guy reminds me of Agent Cooper
What? It was beautiful. Should've skied.