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Observation: Powder Mountain Backcountry

Observation Date
11/8/2012
Observer Name
Hardesty, Pollick, Orum
Region
Ogden
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds, warmth, and cloud cover signal the approaching storm. No snow transport.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Topped out on James Peak (roughly 9350') and found all snow mostly melted on east, south, and westerly aspects. The off aspects that held a northerly component held sun crusts....and even the northerly aspects held "temperature" crusts. Height of snow from 8500' to the top of James is 12-16", with "right side up" stable snow, capped by a couple inches of weak potentially faceting snow overlain by the crust. See photos and profile below. Avalanche issues will likely remain within the new snow unless enough water collapses the crusts...
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
30°
Photo of the .5mm grains beneath the melt-freeze crusts....they appear to be 'necking' or 'sintering'...but they still are Fist hardness and are the primary weakness of concern.
High pressure after the Oct 23/24 storm led to surface hoar and surface facets that have since baked down into the crust.
Overall coverage at Powder Mountain looking down from James Peak.