Observation: Skyline

Observation Date

12/14/2012

Observer Name

Darce Trotter/ Steve Cote

Region

Skyline

Location Name or Route

Electric Lake Bowl

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Light snow flurries, during the day, sun would try and burn through from time to time, winds were light, again, balmy temps 6"- 9" of new snow has settled out to 6"-4", total of 36 cm at Miller flats

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

upside down pack, denser settled new snow over raincrust that is not strong enough to support even skis, crust gets weaker as elevation increases, then faceting to the ground. we were skiing the entire pack, just enough to keep you off the dirt, but had to be very selective about what we skied, upper half of Electric Lake Bowl, needed steeper terrain to bulldoze through entire pack, breaking trail was compacting entire pack in one step, a bit of a slog.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

snow is getting weaker not stronger, still very shallow, total pack is 2' or less other than in wind loaded

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Problem #1 Comments

although pockety and probably getting more stubborn, you could likely find a landmine waiting out there. what is limiting hazard is the inability to get around in some places, and climbing on snow machines would likely churn up dirt, rocks, and lumber, not to mention tearing up machines. cross loading, cornices, and wind loading is in unlikely places and much lower on slopes increasing exposure way off ridgetops.

Avalanche Problem #2

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

shallow snowpack is weakening from the bottom up, is not really supportable, and upside down with deteriorating crust that weakens with elevation. structure is pretty straightforward, and so will the hazard be with new loading.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

9,700'

Slope Angle

24°