Specifications

1. mark in the snow surface the intended outline of the snow pit orienting it so that

the side wall

where observations will be made is facing away from the sun

2. take a picture documenting the unexcavated site

3. take a note of snow pit position, date, time, picture

s number and air temperature

4. dig the snow pit paying attention not to disturb the snow surface along the side

where observations will be made

5. deepen the snow pit until glacier ice or the previous summer surface are found

and prepare the vertical surface to be measured

6. measure the temperature profile allowing sufficient time for

the thermometers to

settle to a stable reading

7. identify the snow stratigraphy and mark the surfaces of the various levels

8. measure and record the total thickness of the snowpack and the thickness of the

individual snow layers, recording any surface enriched with dust

9. using a sampler of known volume take an horizontal core at 1/3 from the bottom

of each snow layer, weigh the sample with a precision spring scale

10. describe the crystallography of the snow and proceed to the following layer

11. take pictures documenting the snow pit

12. fill back the snow pit before leaving

Required equipment:

 map and handheld GPS

 camera and field notebook

 avalanche probe

 shovel (it is recommended to have both a broad light shovel and a smaller one

with sharpened edge to negotiate high strength wind drifted or refrozen snow)

 snow pit kit, containing:

 known volume sampler

 rubber head hammer

 plastic bags

 precision scale

 snow stratigraphy survey forms

 reference scale and crystal type card

 insertion thermometers

 lens

 foldable measuring bar or measuring tape

AWS establishment and maintenance

The establishment and setup of an AWS need to be carried out following the checklist in

Appendix A, filling in all details required in the form and taking pictures documenting

the conditions of the AWS both upon arrival (before any disturbance to the instruments

and the snow cover) and upon leaving the site. Particular care must be paid at the proper

leveling and orientation of the sensors. All technical details of the AWS desing, internal