Estimating depth-load values spring alpine snowpack

An empirical relationship found to exist between integrated ramm hardness number, Rj, in Joules and Load, L, in g-sq cm at the base of the pack at the USA CRREL Goose Lake Snow Study Site is presented. It is suggested that the Rammsonde may offer a practical approach to the study of the snow water equivalent in areas where other techniques are not feasible. Considerable discussion is presented relative to highly technical difficulties of obtaining suitable snow samples in the study of snow loads of low density snow at below Zero ºC temperatures. Instrument procedures are discussed and the Rammsonde process data are plotted and tabulated. Similar data collected in Greenland studies are compared with those made in Southwestern Montana at Goose Lake. The so-called ‘PIT’ technique, where a large number of samples are taken from the walls of a pit dug to soil surface, is described. The average of a large number of samples are used.