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Observation: Big Drift/Skyline Summit

Observation Date
1/22/2024
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Scofield Reservoir » Gooseberry Creek » Big Drift/Skyline Summit
Location Name or Route
South Skyline/Big Drift area
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Another great day in purgatory. Light wind, mostly socked in, a brief appearance of shadows as predicted around noon, a few snowflakes here and there. Much rime from Sunday afternoon's moist light snowfall and valley rains.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Slightest crust below about 8,900' on a west-facing slope. Snow was uniformly supportive and easy to ski and skin.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
West facing between 9,500' and 8,500', could find about 40 cm of very loose snow as the base layer. Roughly 135 cm to 125 cm depth in this area.
Comments
Jumped on multiple small test slopes of 30+ degrees and at least a half dozen that were 35+. Nothing at all reactive. Massively wide crowns on nearby northeast facing steep slopes just off South Skyline Drive near Towhead were still a reminder that we are far from green light conditions.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable