Obs-Snow Profile: Lake Creek 12/23/2010

Observer Name:

Grant Helgeson

Region:

Lake Creek
Huntington Canyon
Skyline

Observation Date:

12/23/2010

Weather

Sky:

Obscured

Wind Speed:

Calm

Weather Comments:

Totally still today in the valleys. First time I've been on the Skyline when it hasn't been blowing at all. Inversion moved in & out today. Visibility was best for a couple of hours in the afternoon, which gave me a glimpse of the recent natural cycle.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristic Comments:

The millers flat snow stake now reads 140 cm. Last week it was at 65 cm. Over 85 cm, or about 3' of total storm snow on the Skyline. Incredible! Talked with lot's of folks today, biggest storm anyone can remember. The storm snow is now a bit inverted with some 4F overlying the lighter F snow.

Covering ground was hard work today. Even the high end sledders were limited to the flats and gentle hills. Handling errors were quiclkly punished with stuck sleds. Trail breaking was quite arduous on skis as well.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Red Flag Comments:

The clouds parted for a two hour window or so this afternoon where I was able to get a glimpse of the recent avalanche cycle. It looks like the activity has been confined to the storm snow, with the rain crust as the bed surface. This speaks *highly* of our pre-existing pack. Moreover, the new snow is bonding well to the old snow surface. Once the pack adjusts to it's new weight we will have an EXCELLENT snowpack.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

New Snow

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

South

Southwest

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

This storm more than doubled our snowpack. Long term we're looking at an incredible snowpack. For the short term, we need to respect this massive growth in our snowpack, and give it some time to adjust.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

100 cm of snow now sits on top of the rain crust, and there's evidence of avalanches up to 100 cm (36") deep on high elevation North through East facing slopes. That kind of avalanche packs a lethal punch, and we need to give it time to adjust before jumping onto the big slopes.

Elevation:

9300'

Aspect:

Northeast

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

39° 39' 8.9496" N, 111° 20' 13.6428" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

HS is now 140. Written in small letters next to the 150cm mark on the snow stake is "average spring depth." It's December still.

The small hump behind & left of the snow stake is my storm board. 'Nuff said.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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