You are here

Column Tests on Douglas Butte

Test Profile
Location Name: 
Mount Shasta Ski Park, Douglas Butte
Region: 
Mt. Shasta
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 02/26/2019 - 2:00pm
Observation made by: 
Professional Observer
Red Flags:
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain

Location Map

96067 Mount Shasta , CA
United States
41° 19' 11.5824" N, 122° 11' 48.1236" W
See map: Google Maps
California US

Snowpack Observations

Details

Observations from a test profile on Douglas Butte, Mount Shasta Ski Park, SW aspect, 5,700 feet:

  • Height of snow (HS): 205 cm.
  • Height of storm snow since Sunday (HST): 90 cm.
  • Snow surface: Fist hard, moist and heavy.
  • Test results:
    • Extended Column Test No Result (ECTX).
    • Extended Column Test No Propagation 23 Taps (ECTN23); broken and failing throughout storm snow.
    • Column Test No Result 3 Trys (CTN x 3).
    • Column Test 3 Taps Sudden Planar Break (CT3 SP) ↓ 60 cm; within storm snow at density break. *
    • Easy Shovel Shear Sudden Planar Break (STE SP) ↓ 105 cm; at interface with 2/13/19 rain crust. *
    • Deep Tap Test 1 Tap Sudden Planar Break (DT1 SP) ↓ 105 cm. *
    • Deep Tap Test 3 Taps Sudden Planar Break (DT3 SP) ↓ 105 cm. *

* Notable - could indicate storm slab problem or deep slab instability.

Photos

  • Test Profile w/ Column Test Results
  • CT3 Sudden Planer @ 145 cm failing within new storm snow

Weather Observations

Statistics

Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Blowing Snow: 
Precipitation: 
Snow
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: