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Observation: Skyline

Observation Date
1/27/2025
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
GE Hill area
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Moderate wind from the east, but strong enough to be moving snow along the ridgelines all day. Our skin track along the ridge was filled in after two hours by very fine, dry blowing snow.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Nothing but sugar once we left the ridge. We were on north-facing between 9,400 feet and 8,800 feet. Same aspect and pretty much the same elevation as yesterday's outing near Big Drift, but this snow was much more sugary, and mostly lacking in a wind crust once you left the ridge. Skin track was loose unconsolidated, much more loose and fine than yesterday. Skinny people on fat skis, but we were trenching on the turns. Great fun, though, on very fast, predictable snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Did a series of hasty pits along a NW-facing road cut near GE Hill at 9,400 feet. All had a total depth of 110-115 cm. On the first two, both at 35 degrees, I could not get a column to fail. On the third, about 100 meters away, but in an area with no trees directly above and considerably more wind transport, a 40 degree column failed on isolation. Stout 10 cm wind crust on top, failure on the weak unconsolidated that made up the bottom 30 cm.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
It is getting harder to find the areas that are going to pop out. A little extra wind load and a little steeper made the difference in today's tests.
Comments
First photo shows the wind-textured 10 cm wind slab that was very cohesive. Second shows a mid-thigh deep trench from a sled on Sunday. The weak layer is still there, and it is easy to punch through.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate