Obs-Snow Profile: Skyline 2/3/2012

Observer Name:

Darce Trotter Steve Cote

Region:

Skyline

Observation Date:

02/03/2012

Location or Route:

Top of Electric Lake Bowl

Weather

Sky:

Few

Wind Direction:

North

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Northern flow continued all day, kept temps down

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Snow Characteristic Comments:

No big wind seemed associated with this last storm, due north flow, low density snow, surface hoar already forming from over night. Older snow from 2 week ago Sat/Mon storm combined with last Thursday's 6" had bonded well into a deceptively strong bridge that is sitting over very large and developed depth hoar that is not going anywhere.

We did notice wilder wind were associated with event 2 weeks ago that had left whales up the ridgeline where we have never seem them before.

This was fast hero skiing on what feels like a very supportable base, problem is it overlays unchanged 12"-18" of depth hoar.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Red Flag Comments:

we found natural activity just off ridge in areas we have never seen slide before, and cycles that have occured have not cleaned out the depth hoar and small storms since are reloading and covering up weakness setting the stage for repeaters in all the areas that had slid.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

therein lies the rub, this stuff is not going to change much, and in areas that the snow pack is thinner due to wind erosion the bridge/slab is not nearly as strong. even in the fattest areas, you step off your skis and go to the waist until the ground finally stops you, but while on skis, feels very supportable. too much false security for my taste.

Elevation:

9400'

Aspect:

Northeast

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

39° 37' 52.4712" N, 111° 14' 43.6416" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

We repeated several compression tests, including CT, ECT, superECT, and doubleETC, all failing on the interface of depth hoar and firmer snow. not to be trusted in our book

Video 1:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

We have yet to be skunked this year, low angle slopes are skiing fast and fun, plenty to keep us happy. big lines like last year will have to wait.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

we found a natural that occurred most likely 2 weeks ago with first substantial wet storm we have had in area since November. we have never seem this area slide before, it is not really cleaned out either.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 4)

in areas snow pack is shallow"er", the bridge is much weaker and you punch through even on skis. with the right set up, you could collapse the shallow snow and propogate into something big.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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