Observation Date
12/9/2013
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Logan River » Tony Grove » South Tony Grove
Location Name or Route
Tony Grove, South
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Very cold and blustery with extreme wind chill.....
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Shallow light new snow on surface. About 25 cm of snow now capping Thanksgiving nsf.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Triggered lots of shooting cracks and cracked out a few small lense-shaped wind slabs while skiing. Also experienced a couple localized audible collapses. Hard to tell for sure due to poor visibility, but I thought I could see a broad crown line from a good sized recent natural avalanche on one of the Sisters in Cottonwood Canyon in the Mount Naomi Wilderness.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Noted a good amount of ongoing drifting. Wind slabs still building with sustained NW wind and cold light snow on the surface.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Most areas apparently still lacking slab, but very weak faceted snow from the Thanksgiving high pressure system is widespread. Weakest faceted snow is elevated well above the ground and its above many low anchors. I expect persistent slab issues in the future when this crap is overloaded.
Comments
We triggered shooting cracks in drifted terrain indicating potential wind slab instability in the area.
Video
Icy crystal mist obscured our views of the higher avalanche terrain and the Beat River Range crest, but the active clouds also gave us some magical light at times...
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
