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Observation: GE Hill

Observation Date
1/28/2021
Observer Name
Darce Trotter / Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Fairview Canyon » Blind Fork » GE Hill
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake and Lower GE Hill
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Se winds in all the exposed terrain around Electric Lake had us retreat to sheltered terrain N of GE hill in search of turnable snow. Widespread wind damage in exposed terrain with upside down pack everywhere, best described consistently inconsistent. Hazy sunshine appeared around lunch time.  
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
We found every type of snow conditions imaginable, widespread wind slabs with wind-loading in all North points of the compass, winds terrain driven near Electric Lake were from the SE and seemed due S on the top of Canyon. We went in search of more sheltered low angle terrain after survival turns down our first stop, and we found what we were looking for, but sandboxing uptracks were the norm everywhere.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We had a couple of collaspses on uptracks, once you punch through wind slab 6-8" thick, pack is hollow and faceted making trail breaking a good workout. In very sheltered areas, just plain sandboxing in lower layers, leaving uptrack nearly 2' deep.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
widespread wind slabs overlying hollow faceted snow as described in forecast
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Cold weather and long time between storms has done little to strengthen layers, best described as upside down from the dirt up in sheltered areas, to wind slab over facets elsewhere
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
25°
Video
Square survival turns in widespread wind slabs
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates