Observation Date
11/22/2013
Observer Name
steve cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Wedding Ring Ridge
Location Name or Route
Wedding ring
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
The wind was strong at the ridge tops and lee side of the ridge, the exposed east and north east slopes were being stripped of the snow cover.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Millers flat area had soft new snow, the sheltered ridge top had dense wind packed snow, exposed areas was dense and hard packed.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
One avalanche was seen on the ridge top, heavy cross loading of slopes over a weak snow pack. winds at or above 20 miles an hour. The more aggressive riders may ride on the wind loaded areas as that is the only place the snow is deep enough. These areas will be near the top, most every were else the snow is to thin for riding. Some careful riding can be had in the open flat areas.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The wind is creating a hard slab over very weak snow, while it is impossible to get to the steep areas there are areas close to the upper snow mobile lot that aggressive riders could test. Some riding could be found in the more sheltered flat areas.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Pit was in a some what wind sheltered area. Just over 2 feet of snow with 10 inches of new over faceted snow from two weeks ago. The faceted snow was on top of 4 inches of frozen snow from October.
First ECT was a 0 - Q1 it broke on just above the faceted snow on a thin melt freeze crust, second ECT 6 - Q2 was at the ground. See next photo
This is the photo of the pit location
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
