Date: Sunday, January 19, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Location: Myoko - Mt. Mae
Coordinates: 36.89363, 138.13307
Elevation: 1825m (at treeline)
Aspect: E-NE open slope
Activity: Snowpack assessment
Observers: Shane K, Nik N
Significant consolidation observed since January 5 assessment. The reactive melt-freeze crust identified on Jan 5 (CTH1 SP @ 85cm) is now buried under 115cm of consolidated storm snow and showed no propagation in column testing (CTEN after 30 taps). Rain event and warming to approximately 1650m on January 17 contributed to consolidation of the snowpack below this elevation. At 1825m, the pit location remained above the rain line and received snow throughout the storm cycle.
On the morning of Jan 19, we conducted a snowpack assessment at 1825m on E-NE open terrain on Mt. Mae. Column test showed no failure after full tap sequence (30 taps) on the same ice crust identified in the January 5 assessment. The crust is now buried at 125cm depth under consolidated storm snow. Total snow height 210cm (pit depth 150cm). No signs of instability observed.
No avalanche activity observed. No signs of instability (whumpfing, cracking) noted during approach or fieldwork. Tour to summit of Mt. Mae with conservative route selection avoiding terrain traps and dense brush areas.
Spatial assessment suggests the consolidation may be elevation and aspect dependent, with the rain line at approximately 1650m on January 17 potentially creating different stability conditions at lower elevations.
Total Snow Height: 210cm
Pit Depth: 150cm
Structure: The melt-freeze crust from January 5 assessment now buried at 125cm depth (85cm from ground). Approximately 115cm of consolidated storm snow above the crust. Crust showed no propagation tendency in column testing.
Hardness Profile:
Grain Types and Bonding:
Temperature Profile:
Stability Tests:
Comparison to January 5 Assessment:
January 5 tests at 1360m showed sudden planar failure (CTH1 SP) at 85cm depth on this same melt-freeze crust. Current assessment at 1825m shows no propagation (CTEN) with the crust now at 125cm depth. The significant change suggests:
Layers identified:
Significant storm cycle since January 5 delivered approximately 150cm of new snow (settled to ~115cm of consolidated snowpack). Warming event on January 17 brought rain to approximately 1650m elevation. At pit location (1825m), precipitation remained as snow throughout the storm cycle.
Conditions during fieldwork:
Skiing conditions good above 1750m elevation. Easterly facing slopes showed wind affect at higher elevations. Toured to summit of Mt. Mae with conservative route selection, avoiding terrain traps and areas with dense brush.
The buried ice crust that showed reactive behavior on January 5 (CTH1 SP at 1360m elevation) now shows stable behavior at this higher elevation location (1825m). The crust has been buried under approximately 115cm of consolidated storm snow and showed no propagation in column testing despite full tap sequence.
The January 17 rain event and related warming to approximately 1650m elevation likely contributed to consolidation of the snowpack. At 1825m, the pit location remained above the rain line and received snow, resulting in a well-consolidated storm snow slab above the previously reactive crust layer.
Key changes since January 5:
The spatial and elevation-dependent nature of these observations suggests conditions may vary across the Myoko area. The rain line at approximately 1650m on January 17 may have created different consolidation patterns at various elevations. Additional observations from other aspects and elevations continue to be valuable for understanding current snowpack behavior.