Test Slope Results, Peak 6996

We wanted to test the wind slab problem today, so we traveled to Peak 6996 in south Glacier Park where winds were expected to be stronger.

• 8" deep wind slabs were easy to trigger on steep, wind exposed slopes above 5600'. Slabs were soft (4F) and propagating on lower density storm snow and a thin layer of facets above a crust. We watched as westerly winds blew snow (moderate snow transport) onto easterly slopes. We avoided the slabs forming just under cornices on large, steep, open leeward slopes.
• We also jumped on steep, sheltered rollovers to test storm slabs. Though the storm snow is upside down these slabs were very soft at middle and upper elevations and we saw only localized cracking or sluffing. 
• We found a thick crust under the recent storm snow up to 6100'. We couldn't find preserved surface hoar on top of this crust in several had pits at middle elevations. We did see some small facets above the crust in areas with a good view of the sky. There is also a thin layer of faceted snow forming under that crust.
• We wanted to monitor the deep slab problem, so we dug a test pit on a northeast aspect and 6900'. We found the facets that formed in December at the bottom of a strong snowpack. The facets were beginning to round, but we did get test results that indicated the potential for propagation in that layer if something or someone was unlucky enough to trigger it. The results confirmed our plan to avoid steep, rocky, alpine start zones where we might stumble upon a trigger point to release one of these monster slabs.
• Warm temperatures made the snow at lower elevations gloppy and sticky. There were periods of light snow (S-1) above 4600' and light rain at the floor of the canyon.
• We snuck into steep, well anchored slopes well below wind slabs forming above and no problems skiing sheltered terrain.