Snowpack updates

25/06/2018
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​Conditions from last week have changed slightly. The snow now has a melt freeze crust of about 2 cm. This is insulating the snowpack and the snow below the crust is staying well preserved. This means that it still if very unconsolidated and the foot penetration is almost the entire snow pack.
The snow is softening from 11am-3pm so great skiing conditions can be has around these times and is been seen on all aspects.
There is a front rolling in currently that is dropping precipitation and with it, warmer conditions. This will hopefully allow some moisture to penetrate the snowpack and consolidate the snow beneath the melt freeze crust.
Technical report
​Did some digging on a South East aspect @ 1729m. 
​Snowpack depth 59cm.
Had hard results on hand shear tests from 1680 to 1800m. these varied from 10cm planar results to 33cm breaks
The snow pack has a 2cm melt freeze layer.
Buried surface hoar is present at 16cm, 21cm and 31cm.
We were getting easy results on the  bond above the surface hoar @ 16cm.
and medium results on the surface hoar @ 22cm.
See results below
CTE 3 SP @ 16 cm on Surface hoar
CTM 13 SP   @ 22cm on surface hoar
Layer of concern is the interface at 33cm.
We will continue to monitor the buried surface hoar.

17/06/2018
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The backcountry has turned on for the year. Conditions on the main range have swung into action with 80cm of snow from the June 12th storm. We are seeing lots of new dry snow and with the Westerly winds from this storm we are seeing deeper deposits on the all aspects lee to the West. The snow in these areas has fallen on bare ground in a lot of places, so breaking through and getting snagged on shrubs is a great concern with the low visibility so keep those tips up! Temperatures are staying cold, so we expect the snow to stay well preserved. Winds are expected to continue over the next week, so the loading effect will continue those aspects discussed. Get out there and enjoy t he early season gifts from the snow Gods.

​Technical report
Did some digging on an East - South East aspect @ 1750m. 
​Snowpack depth 80cm.
Had easy results on hand shear tests from 1680 to 1800m.
The snow pack has a 25cm of new snow sitting on a 5mm layer of surface hoar.  Buried surface hoar is also present at 45cm and 57cm.
We were getting easy results on the  bond above the surface hoar at 43cm.
Wind slab forming on all aspects lee to the SW
See results below
Buried surface hoar present @ 25cm, 43cm and 57cm. 
Crystal size 2 - 4 mm. 
CTE 3 RP @ 43 cm on Surface hoar
ECTN  5  @ 43cm on surface hoar
Layer of concern is the interface at 43cm.
We will continue to monitor the buried surface hoar.
With more snow forecast for another 48hrs,the wind slab will become larger and more widespread.
Be careful on slopes lee to the SW above tree line on slope >30 deg.