1. SNOWPIT - Location and Environmental Datasheet
  2. THICKNESS/TEMPERATURE - Depth and Temperature Datasheet
  3. HARDNESS - Naked Finger and Knife Test Datasheets
  4. GRAIN SIZE AND SHAPE - Depth/Size/Shape Datasheet
  5. DETERMINE DENSITY - Water Content Datasheet
  6. SNOWPIT DATASHEET - An example of how the snowpit data can be presented -
Naked Finger Test

Research Area: Ice/Snow/Winter Ecology: Snow

Purpose of this "lesson": initial qualitative analysis of hardness, density, and crystal structure of the snow pack

Brief Description: Use tip of index finger to probe a vertical column of snow from surface to ground level. Do this to get qualitative analysis of hardness, density, and crystal structure.

Knife Test

Research Area: Ice/Snow/Winter Ecology: Snow

Purpose of this "lesson": Secondary qualitative analysis of hardness, density, and crystal structure of the snow pack

Brief Description: Use knife to slice vertically down through the snow pack

DEPTH (cm) OBSERVATION
33 ICE
21 ICE
2 ICE
DEPTH (cm) OBSERVATION
33 ICE LAYER
32-22 SOFT SNOW
21 ICE LAYER
20-3 CLOSE PACKED SNOW
2 ICE LAYER