A massive subject broken down well into a short video. Nicely summarised. Push two avy probes down into the two back corners of the column, then use a knotted piece of cord to cut all three sides at once.
I think this is a great intro to a very very very complex subject. To emphasize something Xavier said near the end, repeat this test in different areas before making a decision. The snowpack will change just a few meters up down left or right, and where you might find stability in one spot, you might find a trigger spot right next to it. If you have uncertainty in the stability of a slope, the best way to address it is to modify what terrain you are riding to something simpler/safer.
Thanks Spencer, really useful and true comment, a very very complex subject and I hope I am encouraging people to get out and learn more, and agree - the best way to address the risk is like you say - modify the terrain. Thank you. XV
nice one! two little observations: 1. extended columnt test gives you better information on type of the sheer than classic column test 2. dont leave the pit open. someone is going to crash into it! :)
I wonder how useful a snow profile really is for judging the stability of a single slope. In avy course in austria we learn to not do it because the result could be totally different 20 meters below / above...
It's definitely not an exact science and like you say the conditions can change so quickly, so it can be an interesting part of the tool kit, but can't be used on it's own that is for sure. Xv
True, that's why it's best to make 3 snow pits 15 feet away from each one, you might get 3 different answers or 3 of the same information or 2 of the same information.You have to have faith in what your doing as well as faith in the snow pit.AND KEEP ONE THING IN MIND, WHERE YOU MAKE YOUR SNOW PIT (S) "DOES NOT SPEAK" WHERE A RIDER IS GOING TO SKI OR RIDE 100-200 YARD'S AWAY,2 COMPLETE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND DON'T FORGET TO GET ONLINE FOR YOUR AVALANCHE FORECAST.
Good question, I would say that it does not affect it as much ( as long as there is at least 30 degrees of pitch) as the vibration of the impact creates the movement if the bonding is broken
This is a poor representation and attempt to over simplify snow science. This is barely scratching the surface of snow profiles, yet hardly mentions that. No explanation of understanding pit findings(aside of shear), what kind of layers we look for, extended column tests, cone of penetration, and a lot more. I am glad to see shear characteristics mentioned, but that's about it. Plus fill in your pits! Becomes a big hazard for riders coming down.
Hey Eric, very good point on filling in the pit - thank you for bringing that up. Thank you also for pointing out all that it is missing, in someways I hope by simplifying some of these subjects I can make them feel accessible and really give people a point of access to go and learn more - which I always encourage, especially to go on in person courses - as you say there is SO MUCH to learn in snow science. Thanks for your feedback. XV
@@XVDLR this film was great for giving me a fundamental knowledge of what to start looking for. I'm also aware there are many more factors to take into account beyond an eight minute video. Thanks again for introducing us all into the starting process of building knowledge in the mountains.
@@XVDLR You can't simplify snow pits and instability tests. The best thing you could have done is to mention to NEVER use a snow pit for a decision to ski a run as you should already know what you are going to see in that pit and the other Class 1 data is way more important. In addition, spatial variability was never mentioned.
A massive subject broken down well into a short video. Nicely summarised.
Push two avy probes down into the two back corners of the column, then use a knotted piece of cord to cut all three sides at once.
Ohh nice tricks!
Great trick, thank you.
Watching all your films. Learning so much. Please make more
I think this is a great intro to a very very very complex subject.
To emphasize something Xavier said near the end, repeat this test in different areas before making a decision. The snowpack will change just a few meters up down left or right, and where you might find stability in one spot, you might find a trigger spot right next to it.
If you have uncertainty in the stability of a slope, the best way to address it is to modify what terrain you are riding to something simpler/safer.
Thanks Spencer, really useful and true comment, a very very complex subject and I hope I am encouraging people to get out and learn more, and agree - the best way to address the risk is like you say - modify the terrain. Thank you. XV
nice one! two little observations:
1. extended columnt test gives you better information on type of the sheer than classic column test
2. dont leave the pit open. someone is going to crash into it! :)
Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated. Xv
Thanks! Everything is simple and clear) ... Every year before the season we train ...
Always very well made and informative videos! If I have a question on backcountry riding I always check your videos as a resource.
Thank you. 🙏
Thanks, i actually had never seen a "not-bad" compression test before.
wow. so this is what pro riders do. far more advanced than, "that's knarly dude" image i had. LOL
Really good and important!
Great vid thanks
My man! Backfill your pit!
Very important point that I totally forgot to mention (sorry) - Thank you and AGREED.
Great video!
Thanks man! Best YT series
Thank you. That means a lot. Xv
superbe description ! Merci
Im a huge fan
Super vidéo merci !
Quelle support de cartes (site/app) utilises tu dans le début de ta vidéo stp ?
Merci bcp. C'est FATMAP. 👌
Très bonnes explications ! Simples et efficaces !
Merci beaucoup. Xv
I wonder how useful a snow profile really is for judging the stability of a single slope. In avy course in austria we learn to not do it because the result could be totally different 20 meters below / above...
It's definitely not an exact science and like you say the conditions can change so quickly, so it can be an interesting part of the tool kit, but can't be used on it's own that is for sure. Xv
True, that's why it's best to make 3 snow pits 15 feet away from each one, you might get 3 different answers or 3 of the same information or 2 of the same information.You have to have faith in what your doing as well as faith in the snow pit.AND KEEP ONE THING IN MIND, WHERE YOU MAKE YOUR SNOW PIT (S) "DOES NOT SPEAK" WHERE A RIDER IS GOING TO SKI OR RIDE 100-200 YARD'S AWAY,2 COMPLETE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND DON'T FORGET TO GET ONLINE FOR YOUR AVALANCHE FORECAST.
How much is the gradient of the location effecting the block to crack on the taps?
Good question, I would say that it does not affect it as much ( as long as there is at least 30 degrees of pitch) as the vibration of the impact creates the movement if the bonding is broken
Must be nice. Here in Colorado we dig 50cm pits and the walls instantly collapse as the bottom 30cm of facets spill out like a broken sack of rice.. 😂
Scary...
Verbier ?
Exactly!
This is a poor representation and attempt to over simplify snow science. This is barely scratching the surface of snow profiles, yet hardly mentions that. No explanation of understanding pit findings(aside of shear), what kind of layers we look for, extended column tests, cone of penetration, and a lot more. I am glad to see shear characteristics mentioned, but that's about it.
Plus fill in your pits! Becomes a big hazard for riders coming down.
Hey Eric, very good point on filling in the pit - thank you for bringing that up.
Thank you also for pointing out all that it is missing, in someways I hope by simplifying some of these subjects I can make them feel accessible and really give people a point of access to go and learn more - which I always encourage, especially to go on in person courses - as you say there is SO MUCH to learn in snow science. Thanks for your feedback. XV
@@XVDLR this film was great for giving me a fundamental knowledge of what to start looking for. I'm also aware there are many more factors to take into account beyond an eight minute video. Thanks again for introducing us all into the starting process of building knowledge in the mountains.
@@M365_Minion Thanks, like you say - so so much to learn, but hope it inspires you to go out and do just that. Xv
@@XVDLR You can't simplify snow pits and instability tests. The best thing you could have done is to mention to NEVER use a snow pit for a decision to ski a run as you should already know what you are going to see in that pit and the other Class 1 data is way more important. In addition, spatial variability was never mentioned.