Obs-Snow Profile: Beaver Mountain Backside 1/19/2012

Observer Name:

Pagnucco

Region:

Logan
Logan River
Beaver Creek
Beaver Mountain Backside

Observation Date:

01/19/2012

Location or Route:

Beaver Backside

Weather

Sky:

Obscured

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Snowing lightly on and off. Light Winds. Warm.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

High

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Super heavy "powder." Slabby in places. Slightly inverted as well.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Cracking

Red Flag Comments:

Noticed cracking on low angle slopes on the backside of Beaver. Nothing moved far due to the low slope angle but it was surprising to see how sensitive the new snow was. It was slabby and cracks propagated far in all directions. I would be worried about steeper pockets that might catch a rider unaware. There are still many rocks visible so even a short ride would cause damage. Also noticed slab and wet avalanches along Logan Canyon Highway.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

None

Elevation:

7500'

Aspect:

East

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

41° 57' 26.7696" N, 111° 33' 8.5896" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Cracking on low angle slopes. Not something we see often if ever at Beaver. Validates the concern that higher elevations and steeper terrain will pose a much higher threat.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

more cracking....

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

This shows just how easy it is to initiate movement. This snow had a lot of pent up energy that was easily released just upon isolation. This is also on a very low consequence slope. Scary to imagine what is happening in steeper/higher areas.

Video 3:

Observed Danger Rating:

High

Forecast Danger Rating:

Extreme

Snow Profile Location

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