International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Practitioners View on Quick Study of Snowpack: How to Explain the Vocabulary for Pole Probe Tests and Slope Cutting

• • Title: Practitioners View on Quick Study of Snowpack: How to Explain the Vocabulary for Pole Probe Tests and Slope Cutting

    Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska

    Authors:

    • Theo Meiners  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Kim Grant  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Sam Sehnert  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Matt Belford  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Jessica Baker  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Robb Maris  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Aidan Meiners  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Craig Fischer  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Nicholas Houfek  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Josh Pope  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • AJ Sanders  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Mike Trombetta  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Dan Janjigian  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]
    • Sam Green  [ Alaska Rendezvous Heli Guides, Valdez, Alaska, USA ]

    Date: 2012

    Abstract: As practitioners and heli-ski guides in the Chugach Mountains of Valdez, Alaska we ski cut slopes to mitigate the volume of loose snow avalanches (sluff). We determine if results of slope cuts are probable or not through pole probing the structure and hardness of the snow pack. This includes the top 120cms of the snow pack as this is a common length of a ski pole. We are introducing a new vernacular that clearly describes pole probing and its correlation to slope cut results. Our adage includes data codes used to quickly and easily decipher the structure of the snowpack as well as describe varying degrees of loose snow avalanches. Depths of different hardness are also quantifiable. In a right side up snowpack hardness increases as depth increases. A right side up pole probe with an impenetrable hard layer 45cms down is expressed as PPRU45I. The value after the shorthand represents the depth at which the pole probe becomes impenetrable. Furthermore, slopes with upside down pole probes, where changes in hardness become inconsistent, necessitate a snow pit. We include both CT and ECT as the snowpack may demonstrate a failure in compression but not in shear. We have also elaborated on the existing slope cut data codes used in table 2.12 on page 55 of the ‘Snow, Weather and Avalanches: Observation Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States’ (2009) to include quantifiable amounts of loose snow avalanches. Daily we experience a variety of snow conditions on different aspects and elevations. Creating a dialogue based upon pole probing and slope cutting has improved our efficiency and communication regarding snowpack structure, sluff management and spatial variability.

    Object ID: issw-2012-023-027.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s): unknown

    Keywords: sluff, helicopter skiing, snowpack structure, snowpack properties,snowslope stability

    Page Number(s): 23-27

    Subjects: snowpack conditions backcountry activities helicopter skiing

  • Get Full Article

Back to Home page