Observation: Skyline 1/27/2012

Observer Name:

Trent Meisenheimer

Region:

Skyline

Observation Date:

01/27/2012

Location or Route:

Little Meadow to Big Meadow

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

North

Wind Speed:

Calm

Weather Comments:

Nice day on the Skyline.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

All the signs are there.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

High

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Southwest

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

A huge thanks to Big Pine Sports In Fairview for helping the UAC get around in the mountains. You guys rock!

Video 1:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

The Skyline went through a natural avalanche cycle during the storm. All of these avalanches were failing on very weak facets.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

In the afternoon the snowmobiles made it to the hills and started triggering avalanches. This was the fourth snowmobile triggered avalanche on the same hill.

Attention: We need to tone it down a notch right now. This is a very tricky year on the Skyline.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 4)

Picture of the layering in the snow. The card marks the slab/facet interface. All test were Q1 shears and between 16-24 taps. Snow depth 3ft in sheltered areas.

The advanced Facets are between 3-5mm and very weak.

Observed Danger Rating:

High

Forecast Danger Rating:

High