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Observation: Abajo Mountains

Observation Date
1/9/2016
Observer Name
Matt Van Scoyoc
Region
Abajos » Abajo Mountains
Location Name or Route
Ridge above old ski area
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Skinning up the sky was broken to overcast. Once we got on top of the ridge, around 12pm, it started snowing lightly. When we left the parking lot around 3pm, it was snowing pretty good.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wind slab on upper elevation ridges. Awesome pow pow everywhere else.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
It's still down there, somewhere.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Ski pole probes, hand shear tests and stepping above the skin track on the way up suggested the new snow was bonded fairly well to the older layer. It took a bit of pressure to get the new snow layer to pop with hand shear tests and shear quality was Q2-Q3. Stepping above the skin track revealed similar results, except in a couple wind loaded areas on exposed places on the ridge line.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate