Location: Paradise Divide Area
Date of Observation: 12/12/2018
Name: Than
Subject: Swiss cheese
Aspect: North, North East
Elevation: ATL, BTL
Avalanches:
None seen but it was milk jug in the valley
Weather: windy and snowy on the ridge and at treeline, calm and snowing lightly below treeline
Snowpack: Looking at the ridge from down valley, you could see it had been wind scoured on the south side. Denser wind effect on top of a snowpack that was 140 cm deep at treeline. Below treeline snowpack was light on top, denser in the middle and sitting on crap at the bottom. Appeared to be a buried surface hoar as well 10 or so cms down. Classic strong over weak structure. The swiss cheese comment comes from an old mentor of mine who pointed out that while the pack may look and feel good in a lot of spots, there are still holes in random areas and to always be aware. Thin crust on anything facing E/SE. Bottom part of pitch to the valley floor was still unconsolidated top to bottom in the pack and about 40 cms deep.
Photos: