Observation Date
1/18/2014
Observer Name
Nate H-S
Region
Logan » Logan Dry Canyon
Location Name or Route
Logan Peak
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beautiful bluebird day, staying cold into late morning. Little to no wind.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The usual high pressure mixed bag of conditions depending on aspect, elevation, local topography, etc. Depths varied from 10-20cm on S/SW aspects to 120 cm on sheltered N/NW/W. Fast surface conditions.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Two audible collapses on flat ridges. No fractures propagated given the angle.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Pits on NW/W @ 9400' yielded mixed results. A few columns fell at the ground when isolated, some a few feet over took a beating and never broke. Right now, the Christmas rain/rime crust is the most consistent offender, consistently failing as ECTN from the wrist/elbow. The snow is strong and strengthening over this layer, but sits atop the knife crust, which caps bottomless facets. Any E/NE aspects that haven't gone, could go big with a trigger. Wind-scoured W/NW have less of a slab and are pretty rigid. Conditions are extremely variable in the Logan area, and local tests don't mean much for the next pitch over.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Some warming, but not enough snow on wind-scoured, high southerly aspects to do much.
Wind deposited E slopes are much more sketchy than anything else around the compass. High pressure has built some nice surface hoar and crusts to keep us weary after the next storm rolls through.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
