– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

SnowMetrics – Professional Snow Study Kits – First Look

by Jonathan Cooper February 25, 2019
written by Jonathan Cooper February 25, 2019
Thanks to Ortovox for sponsoring this avalanche education content. Check out the additional plethora of avalanche safety resources on their website.

This post sponsored by our publishing partner Cripple Creek Backcountry. They’ll help you toss the ski binding salad.

Part of an investigation of a remote triggered persistent slab avalanche in Grand Teton National Park in late January.

A remote triggered persistent slab avalanche in Grand Teton National Park in late January.

Here in Colorado we are in the height of avalanche season for the 2018/2019 winter. The mental warm-up period of the early season is waning. Before we know it another winter will have passed. The life long quest of learning and exploring the intricacies of our winter snowpack continues. I’ve come to value this pursuit, and have continually sought out ways to further my education both in a formal setting and on a daily basis.

It’s important to have the right tools for the job on this journey, and that’s where I’ve looked to SnowMetrics.

Ortovox Banner

SPONSORED BY

As many of you know the structure of formal avalanche education has shifted in the last two years in the U.S., largely for the better (but not without growing pains). The American Avalanche Association (A3) has reestablished the guidelines for both recreational avalanche education and professional certifications. I have been moving through the revised system as a way to advance my knowledge, and to be up-to-speed on the current certification process. As an avalanche educator for a number of different avalanche schools in southwest Colorado and Washington state delivering the AIARE curriculum, professional development is a critical component of this industry.

Using a ruler and stir sticks to visually note layer interfaces in a snow pit in the North Cascades. A wedge of snow is taken out at each layer for grain form and size identification.

Using a ruler and stir sticks to visually note layer interfaces in a snow pit in the North Cascades. A wedge of snow is taken out at each layer for grain form and size identification.

After completing a Pro 1 Bridge Exam last season, I am prepping for my Pro 2 course this season. As I prepare and continue to develop my skillset around snowpack structure, avalanche mechanics, and the intricacies of forecasting the avalanche problem on a given day, I recognize the importance of quality tools. I often tell students in my courses when making snowpack observations: “sloppy technique equals sloppy results.” That mantra rings true when it comes to your kit; high quality and purpose built tools allow you to collect information more accurately and effectively.

There are a wide array of snow, and avalanche practitioners and professionals in the field throughout the winter months. These individuals range from hydrologists, ski patrollers, Department Of Transportation forecasters and mitigation crews, and recreationalists. Each profession has a different lens through which they view the winter backcountry environment. SnowMetrics creates and distributes tools that cover the diverse needs of each of these user group.

As a backcountry tourer, and avalanche educator the tools I need are primarily to assess structure, identify layering and snow grains within the snowpack, make field weather observations, as well as assess terrain. I’ve been using the SnowMetrics Professional Snow Study Kit for the last month or so, and I’m a big fan for a number of reasons.

The SnowMetrics Professional Snow Study Kit

The SnowMetrics Professional Snow Study Kit

  • Large zippered pouch – neatly stores tools, notebooks, etcettera.
  • Each piece of the kit is purpose built.
  • Room for customization depending on your needs.
  • Digital thermometer is quality (not a glorified cooking tool!)
  • Stir sticks for layer ID — excellent for visualization and recording
  • Quality foldable ruler — also a good tool for layer ID — better than using a probe for depth measurements.
  • A compact and high quality 10x loup for grain ID. I added my own 30x loupe to help me with grain ID.
  • Crystal card — the best piece of snow study equipment I’ve used.
  • SnowMetrics crystal card is one of the stand out pieces of this snow study kit. I’ve been working with other avalanche professionals in the last few weeks and after using mine, they are making it their next purchase. The plastic material of the card will not conduct heat, which is critical in grain identification. The translucency of the plastic really lights up the snow grains and allows for more accurate grain ID (especially with a high powered loupe).

    Surface hoar – beautiful on the surface. Unfortunately, as the old adage goes “todays surface is tomorrows weak layer.”

    Surface hoar – beautiful on the surface. Unfortunately, the old adage goes “today’s surface is tomorrows weak layer.”

    The owners of SnowMetrics are long time snow and avalanche researchers who have been working in the world of snow science for over 30+ years. In addition they have been contributing to the world of avalanche education for just as long. These are purpose built tools for a wide variety of applications.

    Check out SnowMetrics and support a small business promoting snow and avalanche observation and education.

    3 comments
    0
    FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
    previous post
    4FRNT Raven — Ski Review
    next post
    Podcast from Cripple Creek — Lou Makes Cameo

    3 comments

    Matt Kinney February 27, 2019 - 4:13 pm

    If you live in a snowy place, why not amplify your knowledge with a weather station and snow plot in your yard. I found it invaluable and recommend it. How to make daily weather and snow obs are important enough to be in the SWAG manual, but seem under emphasized for BC skiers. Sure there are snowtels and such, but doing your own obs really helps with the puzzles of snow. Even though Spokane is not Valdez, I got a station set up and am logging data into CoCoRAHs national data base 24″!!! While I might not be skiing the snow around my hood anytime soon, it’s still an important habit.

    wtofd February 28, 2019 - 7:26 am

    Matt, what’s the smallest amount of land you’d need to set one up?

    Matt Kinney February 28, 2019 - 9:05 am

    A glance at the SWAG criteria for a snow plot gives the guidelines for a proper location. I have a small yard so I had to fudge a bit on placing it perfect. If you get a lot of snow you may have to purchase a larger snow and precip bucket. I have a small bucket and it not big enough for anything over 6″ in a 24 hours. You can order equipment through COCORAHS and register your site.

    Comments are closed.

    Promotion Image

    Recent Posts

    • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

      February 24, 2021
    • Food for Thought: On Slopes Above 25 Degrees, THINK

      February 22, 2021
    • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

      February 18, 2021
    • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

      February 16, 2021
    • PSA — Battery Corrosion and Beacon Malfunction

      February 15, 2021

    Newsletter Sign-Up

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • About Lou Dawson
    • Authors Page
    • About
    • Contact
    • Copyright & Legal
    • Website Security

    @2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


    Back To Top

    Read alsox

    Totally Deep Podcast 85 — Serious...

    February 25, 2021

    Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird...

    February 24, 2021

    Food for Thought: On Slopes Above...

    February 22, 2021