Observation Date
1/30/2014
Observer Name
Erik Syrstad
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon
Location Name or Route
Providence Canyon
Weather
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Not much new snow below about 7000'. Very dense and supportable up high. The new snow is right-side up and capped with a few inches of a strange powder-like substance that I've seen rarely this season. No rime crust observed.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No cracking or major collapsing observed. I wandered onto a steep (40 degree), densely forested, north facing test slope at about 8000', and was not able to kick off anything in the new snow. However, the poor snowpack structure is still very evident, and I found myself punching through on occasion and wallowing in sugar. This was only an issue on steep treed slopes with a very shallow snowpack.
Comments
Nice evening for a headlamp tour. There were still several groups of sledders getting after it when I started at 5 pm. Looks like it was quite a busy day in the Logan-area backcountry.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
