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Observation: Seeley Canyon

Observation Date
1/23/2015
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/Steve Cote/Carey Pierce
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Seeley Canyon
Location Name or Route
Seeley Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold windy day, snow still being moved around by winds, uptrack refilled between runs today even in the Seely Trees,
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sandbox uptrack today in sheltered trees, then filled in by W winds made for slippery climbing . Very supportable snowpack has allow extensive access to even extreme terrain, Most slopes have been highmarked or centerpunched by machine with no new activity, at least in this area. Windboard, variable windcrusts, MF ice lenses on E/S/W slopes in open terrain, Skiing was still very nice in creamy recrystalized upper layer of snow, but as terrain flattened out, breakable crust were waiting at the bottom. We even detected a rime crust on recystalized snow in sheltered W/N trees that added to the volume of loud powder.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
see ob on Wedding Ring Ridge for recent activity there
Avalanche Problem #1
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Pockety wind slabs on E facing slopes, while not extremely large, in the wrong terrain will ruin your day
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
weak recystalized snow on surface weakest in sheltered trees will be the next issue when it snows
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,600'
Slope Angle
31°
Video
S and W ridgelines blown to dirt
80 cm on Miller Flat snowstake
Recent activity on Wedding Ring Ridge
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates