Observation: GE Hill

Observation Date

1/24/2026

Observer Name

Magerl

Region

Skyline » Fairview Canyon » Blind Fork » GE Hill

Location Name or Route

Fairview Canyon / Blind Fork / GE Hill area

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Sunny all day. Nearby weather station said it was in the mid-teens all the time we were out, but it felt much colder in the shade. Light to moderate winds, with gusts in the mid-teens MPH. Clearly observed snow transport after about 2 P.M.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

About 1/2 inch of fresh all around. After that, aspect was everything. Breakable crust over about 20 cm total depth on south-facing at 9,200 feet. West facing was light on open slopes, variable in the aspens. North facing was wonderful recrystallized. Fun, easy turns, as long as you didn't mind weed whacking. Skinning was not the chore that is often common in loose sugar. Pole plants never broke through the very stout crust 20 cm down. In untracked steep north, blissful turns. Of course it will be setting up troubles down the road.

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Almost needed to put the handle on my shovel to dig a pit, but with the deepest snow I could find being 65 cm, the handle stayed in the bag. The top 20 cm is all fist/4 finger on top of a stout 15 cm crust. On a NW aspect at 9,400 feet, everything below that crust was loose. On a N aspect at 9,100 feet, the bottom 20 cm was almost solid ice. Haven't seen that here before, not sure what to make of it. We hit known slide paths with no reaction. Nothing wanted to move. First photo shows crust from NW aspect. Second photo shows the middle and lower shelves from the N aspect.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Low

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