Observation: Richards Hollow 1/16/2012

Observer Name:

Weed/McAvoy

Region:

Richards Hollow
Left Hand Fork-Blacksmith Fork
Logan

Observation Date:

01/16/2012

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

West

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

Cold and windy, with low wind chill values and snow showers....

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

We didn't observe many red flags until we noticed the 80'-long shooting cracks in the scoop Darren had just walked on the ridge top flats above. A sign of things to come; cracking will likely become more common as slabs form on widespread very weak faceted snow..

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Noted significant and continued drifting of the fresh 3" from overnight....

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Darren unknowingly remote triggered these shooting cracks in a scoop on the lee side of the ridge while walking along on the the flats above... I spied the 1' deep by around 80' long cracks a couple minutes later. Certainly there are more pockets with sensitive and dangerous wind slabs in terrain exposed to wind drifting.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Continued wind drifting of the couple inches of the overnight fresh snow occurred throughout the day.... Here are different views of the drifting off Providence Peak and Millville Peak.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

Here's a look at drifting off the ridge above Charly's Hollow and Richard's Hollow on the major ridge between Upper Providence Canyon and the Left Hand Fork of the Blacksmith River....

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable