Observation: Logan

Observation Date
12/3/2012
Observer Name
Toby Weed
Region
Logan
Location Name or Route
Rock Bowl
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Finally felt like winter in the shade.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Top couple inches of pretty nice powder on a spongy crust from yesterday afternoon capping 4F fresh but somewhat heavy snow. Already small SH apparent on snow surface... The snow under the surface powder was pleasantly supportable enough to keep me above the rocks. Lower angled terrain was smooth, fast, and enjoyable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Also noted some isolated cracking in drifted snow generally <1' deep. Slab structure only apparent in drifted terrain...
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Probably should continue to treat steep drifted slopes with caution...
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Wind slabs built on snow with suspect structure and I'd expect some instability to linger for a while on shady upper elevation slopes.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,800'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Pretty good coverage up high in deposition areas favored by south winds. I was able to crack out a couple small wind slabs, with the failing layer consisting of a lighter density grauple-dendrite layer well below yesterday's crust and around 20cms deep....
The heavy, wet snow from the beginning of December certainly helped cover the rocks in the Tony Grove Area. Here is a shot looking down at the lake from the ridge to the south, and a look at Mt. Magog and the terrain north and west of the lake from the south....
Coordinates