Observation: Cornice Ridge 12/2/2011

Observer Name:

Toby

Region:

Cornice Ridge
Tony Grove
Logan River
Logan

Observation Date:

12/02/2011

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Cloudy but clear in the morning, light snowfall in the afternoon. Cold and breezy on the ridge.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

About an inch of new snow on top of wind and sun crusts.... Still pretty good soft powdery snow conditions in more sheltered pockets in north facing terrain.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Red Flag Comments:

Could see evidence of several recent shallow wind slab avalanches, but the strong winds of December 1 made for difficult investigation. We could not see much in terms of fresh debris. Only a few chunky piles on the uphill sides of mid-slope trees

We noted some new 2 to 3 foot + drifts near ridge, but these were on fairly low angled slopes and capped very shallow old snow and rock.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Less Dangerous

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

We could see a few fresh but shallow crowns, likely from the December 1 winds.... These are on the now heavy scoured east facing, Cornice Ridge Face... We could also see evidence of a few, mostly wind-erased crown lines on the Sisters in upper Cottonwood Canyon....

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

I've included a couple shots which show the current snow cover in the Tony Grove Area....

Looking southwest from the Tony Grove Road near the backcountry parking area... And northeast toward Mt. Magog from Cornice Ridge....

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate