November 12, 2009, Baker Backcountry Science
11/12/09
WA Cascades West Slopes North (Mt Baker)
4833
11
Given that we were playing hookie to get in some turns today, we felt it was important to present our TR in a slightly different format than usual so we might still get some credit at work for our efforts.
EARLY ASSESSMENT OF SNOW CONDITIONS IN THE CASCADES FOLLOWING RECENT SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL
JimH, TomTom, iluka
University of Backcountry Skiing. Pacific Northwet, USA
BACKGROUND: Recent weather systems have brought significant snowfall to the Pacific Northwest and preliminary reports have indicated significant improvement in local skiing conditions in the past week. These reports have yet to be confirmed and we have yet to partake in the fun ourselves.
HYPOTHESIS: Donning backcountry ski gear and cutting turns in the Baker Backcountry will confirm earlier positive reports and lead to significant displays of wide smiles and spontaneous expressions of glee.
METHODS: After obtaining approval from the appropriate spousal review boards and signing ignorant consent forms, three men with receding hairlines drove from the 65th St. P&R to the upper parking lot at Mount Baker ski area. The three set out on backcountry ski gear (2 alpine touring; 1 telemark) carrying shovels, beacons and newly charged batteries, climbing skins and topographic maps. Two of the individuals were selected to do all trailbreaking while the third opted to hang in the back throughout the study period. Data was analyzed using intention-to-turn analysis with all study results thoroughly reviewed over nachos and drinks at Graham's in Glacier by completely non-independent, biased observers.
RESULTS: The three skiers followed another groups tracks slightly past Bagley Lakes and then broke trail the rest of the way to Herman's Saddle where they found great views of Mt. Baker (Figure 1). Ski penetration about 8 inches in somewhat heavy snow on the way up. The group skied off the saddle towards Iceberg Lake finding poor ski conditions with crust and heavy snow despite the shade and declared the first experiment of the day a failure. The group then skied back up to the saddle, ascended higher on the ridge toward Herman Peak (Figure 2) and then descended east facing slopes for several hundred feet finding nice soft snow that held up well despite the sun early in the day. This provided some support for the primary hypothesis of the study given that smiles were seen and there was the scattered whoop thrown in (and no falls). The group then broke trail to the saddle above Mazama Bowl to ski the northwest facing slopes, finding excellent powder conditions (albeit a bit slow unless on steeper aspects). Conditions were rated favorable enough to warrant a total of 3 laps (Figure 3), each of which yielded considerable numbers of smiles and expressions of glee, thus proving the hypothesis of the study. The group then skied back to Bagley Lakes finding pockets of nice powder interspersed with areas of breakable crust on the way down to the lake.
CONCLUSIONS: Early season snow conditions in the Baker backcountry are excellent with good coverage. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate the impact of further anticipated snowfall from approaching weather systems.
Submitted to the Journal of Trivial Inconclusive Results, 11/12/09
EARLY ASSESSMENT OF SNOW CONDITIONS IN THE CASCADES FOLLOWING RECENT SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL
JimH, TomTom, iluka
University of Backcountry Skiing. Pacific Northwet, USA
BACKGROUND: Recent weather systems have brought significant snowfall to the Pacific Northwest and preliminary reports have indicated significant improvement in local skiing conditions in the past week. These reports have yet to be confirmed and we have yet to partake in the fun ourselves.
HYPOTHESIS: Donning backcountry ski gear and cutting turns in the Baker Backcountry will confirm earlier positive reports and lead to significant displays of wide smiles and spontaneous expressions of glee.
METHODS: After obtaining approval from the appropriate spousal review boards and signing ignorant consent forms, three men with receding hairlines drove from the 65th St. P&R to the upper parking lot at Mount Baker ski area. The three set out on backcountry ski gear (2 alpine touring; 1 telemark) carrying shovels, beacons and newly charged batteries, climbing skins and topographic maps. Two of the individuals were selected to do all trailbreaking while the third opted to hang in the back throughout the study period. Data was analyzed using intention-to-turn analysis with all study results thoroughly reviewed over nachos and drinks at Graham's in Glacier by completely non-independent, biased observers.
RESULTS: The three skiers followed another groups tracks slightly past Bagley Lakes and then broke trail the rest of the way to Herman's Saddle where they found great views of Mt. Baker (Figure 1). Ski penetration about 8 inches in somewhat heavy snow on the way up. The group skied off the saddle towards Iceberg Lake finding poor ski conditions with crust and heavy snow despite the shade and declared the first experiment of the day a failure. The group then skied back up to the saddle, ascended higher on the ridge toward Herman Peak (Figure 2) and then descended east facing slopes for several hundred feet finding nice soft snow that held up well despite the sun early in the day. This provided some support for the primary hypothesis of the study given that smiles were seen and there was the scattered whoop thrown in (and no falls). The group then broke trail to the saddle above Mazama Bowl to ski the northwest facing slopes, finding excellent powder conditions (albeit a bit slow unless on steeper aspects). Conditions were rated favorable enough to warrant a total of 3 laps (Figure 3), each of which yielded considerable numbers of smiles and expressions of glee, thus proving the hypothesis of the study. The group then skied back to Bagley Lakes finding pockets of nice powder interspersed with areas of breakable crust on the way down to the lake.
CONCLUSIONS: Early season snow conditions in the Baker backcountry are excellent with good coverage. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate the impact of further anticipated snowfall from approaching weather systems.
Submitted to the Journal of Trivial Inconclusive Results, 11/12/09
Hate to be critical but in the second photo is that your transceiver hanging on the outside of your coat? I hope not.
author=old guy link=topic=14439.msg60439#msg60439 date=1258136471]
Hate to be critical but in the second photo is that your transceiver hanging on the outside of your coat? I hope not.
That would not be his transceiver...
Love the format and that picture of Baker is tasty.... thanks!
Great paper Andy!
You had better check your batteries "old guy". Awesome post!!
In fact the yellow thingy in picture #2 is a very sensitive measurement device used by the analysis team to gauge potential energy in the snow pack and overall schralpage potential. The device uses a sophisticated technological approach to measure the overall steepness and angle of the slope and miraculously requires no batteries whatsoever!
We strongly believe this technology presents a 'green alternative' to the slope angle measurement needs of back country skiers and we we unanimously encourage the adoption of these devices during regular BC travel, even if they do look like a late model Pieps hanging carelessly of your shoulder strap.
Go get some and be safe!
We strongly believe this technology presents a 'green alternative' to the slope angle measurement needs of back country skiers and we we unanimously encourage the adoption of these devices during regular BC travel, even if they do look like a late model Pieps hanging carelessly of your shoulder strap.
Go get some and be safe!
What is the name of the device and manf. please?
Sure thing:
http://www.garmontusa.com/370018.html
Please note that this version does not come in the same hi-viz color, but it does use the same core technology.
http://www.garmontusa.com/370018.html
Please note that this version does not come in the same hi-viz color, but it does use the same core technology.
Nice TR, fun read and great pics! Seems the only right thing to do from here as you said would be a lot more research... :)
Nice creative TR! Good to meet you guys up there and thanks for the skin tracks :)
Dear Authors,
It is a pleasure to inform you that manuscript number JTIR111209 entitled "EARLY ASSESSMENT OF SNOW CONDITIONS IN THE CASCADES FOLLOWING RECENT SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL" which you submitted to the Journal of Trivial Inconclusive Results has completed the review process and has received a sufficiently high priority to be published in JTIR when appropriate revisions are made. The comments of the referee(s) are provided at the bottom of this letter to aid you in revising your paper.
Reviewer: 1
This is an excellent paper which is very clearly written. The experiments are well carried out, and the results are convincing. I have no major concerns or criticisms of this manuscript. However, since this journal has an international audience, metric units should be used throughout the manuscript.
It is a pleasure to inform you that manuscript number JTIR111209 entitled "EARLY ASSESSMENT OF SNOW CONDITIONS IN THE CASCADES FOLLOWING RECENT SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL" which you submitted to the Journal of Trivial Inconclusive Results has completed the review process and has received a sufficiently high priority to be published in JTIR when appropriate revisions are made. The comments of the referee(s) are provided at the bottom of this letter to aid you in revising your paper.
Reviewer: 1
This is an excellent paper which is very clearly written. The experiments are well carried out, and the results are convincing. I have no major concerns or criticisms of this manuscript. However, since this journal has an international audience, metric units should be used throughout the manuscript.
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