Observation: Garden City Bowl, the Gut

Observation Date

12/22/2023

Observer Name

Kelly, Pagnucco

Region

Logan » Garden City Canyon » Garden City Bowl, the Gut

Location Name or Route

Garden City Bowls

Weather

Sky

Broken

Weather Comments

Another balmy day in the mountains though clouds kept heating to a minimum. No wind.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

Found surface hoar as well as NSF on E facing terrain between 8800' and 8200'. Decent riding conditions in sheltered shaded terrain though the lack of new snow is taking a toll on available untouched areas. Old tracks everywhere. Still somewhat soft with no crusts on E facing but S and W facing are a mixed bag of breakable crusts and solid, icy MF snow.

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Dug a pit at 8700' E facing and found buried surface hoar as well as basal facets. Stability tests ranged from ECTP 29 to ECTP 14, all failing at the ground in facets. Dave managed to get failure in the buried surface hoar with a shovel tilt test (9,10,13 taps). Somewhat surprised with results but then again the snowpack is very shallow and somewhat protected in this zone.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Normal Caution

Problem #1 Comments

Normal caution but still finding weak snow in areas of shallower snow - basal facets, buried SH, NSF, and faceting snow within pack.

Snow Profile

Aspect

East

Elevation

8,800'

Slope Angle

22°