Observer Name:
Grant Helgeson
Region:
Skyline
Observation Date:
01/26/2010
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth:
18"
New Snow Density:
Light
Snow Surface Conditions:
Powder
Wind Crust
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.
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.