Observation: Big Drift/Skyline Summit 12/2/2011

Observer Name:

Craig Gordon, Steve Cote, Trent Meisenheimer

Region:

Big Drift/Skyline Summit
Skyline

Observation Date:

12/02/2011

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Wind Direction:

Northeast

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Recent easterly winds have severely damaged much of our high elevation terrain, stripping many slopes down to dirt.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

A mixed bag of conditions.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

Lots of collapsing and shooting cracks.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Wind slabs are pockety and limited to upper elevation terrain.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Much of terrain is wind jacked!

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Slabs formed on weak, sugary snow and we experienced widespread collapsing and cracks shooting out well in front of us as we traveled on relatively low angle terrain.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

It's white from far, but far from white. Much of our terrain is in desperate need of snow.