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Observation: Skyline 1/26/2010

Observer Name:

Grant Helgeson

Observation Date:

01/26/2010

Region:

Skyline

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Wind Direction:

West

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Temperatures were mild with winds out of the west. Broken skies interspersed with periods of great light.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

18"

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Storm snow from the big Jan 23/24 event has begun to settle, but, the riding conditions are still fantastic, so long as you stay in wind sheltered areas, well away from avalanche terrain.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Red Flag Comments:

Reid and I came across 3 different avalanches on Tuesday. The most notable was a size 2.5 on an E - NE facing slope near 10,000 feet. The slope naturaled, likely just after the weekends storm. Digging a pit on a test slope just beneath this slope produced VERY weak results. Entire column failing at the ground at 4 from the wrist.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Deep Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

While snow from the most recent storm has been settling, it has overloaded our very weak snowpack. Testing reveals very weak snow at the ground that is sensitive to a light trigger. Essentially, the snowpack barely has the strength to stay in place. Add the weight to a rider or skier to it, and you have the potential for big avalanches failing at the ground.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Video 1:

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable