Obs-Snow Profile: Cub River 12/22/2011

Observer Name:

Weed

Region:

Cub River
Logan

Observation Date:

12/22/2011

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Speed:

Calm

Weather Comments:

Very cold in the canyon..... Nicer on sunny slopes

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

We found a wide variety of bad stuff including; very weak faceted snow, buried surface hoar, RR-crusts, more solid m/f crusts and wind crusts under a few inches of cold light fresh snow.....

Red Flags

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

We noted several instances of cracking including the new snow and in some cases wind drifted snow below. This was sometimes accompanied by isolated collapses.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

The danger of wind slab avalanches running on persistent weak layers will probably increase with an increase in winds....

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Loose Snow/Sluffing

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

Steep slopes with sugary faceted snow and a few inches of light powder sluffed easily, with sluffs into gullies off steep walls noted.

Elevation:

8400'

Aspect:

Northeast

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

42° 7' 1.3908" N, 111° 36' 56.8692" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

We triggered instances of shooting cracks in exposed terrain. This one is around 15cms deep and a couple feet long. Involved a shallow wind slab with a few inches of fresh snow on top failing on pretty big facets..

In many other areas, we sank to the ground in faceted snow even with skis on.... The snow in way too many areas looks like this and will make up basal layer depth hoar, a very dangerous and deadly persistent weak layer when it is buried by a slab of more cohesive snow...

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

I had to bring the sled into the shop in Preston, so I thought today would be a good time to check out conditions up in Cub River Canyon just north of the Idaho State Line.... This is looking north across Willow Flats`at mostly south and west facing terrain in the Cub River Area....

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate

Snow Profile Location

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