Deserted Marion Lake

Enjoyed a Christmas stroll to the Marion Lake area to observe deeply buried weak layers and the Persistent Slab problem.

• The so-called Marion Lake BC ski area was apparently closed for the holiday. We enjoyed having the slopes to ourselves.
• There was 6-8" of snow at the trailhead (3800') with ~ 40" at 6900'.
• A thin (~1") sun crust had recently formed on steep sunny aspects.
• Facets and/or a faceted crust sandwich (Thanksgiving) comprised the lower 1/4 of the snowpack. 
• These weak layers are strengthening with no propagation in our stability test results. Compression tests revealed failure only with hard force.
• No signs of instabilities were noted as we traveled on south, north and northeast aspects.