Observation Date
12/6/2012
Observer Name
Toby Weed
Region
Logan
Location Name or Route
Cornice Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
In the clouds for the afternoon, with poor visibility. Rime forming on trees and snow surface.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Heavy snow and sustained wind from the past week has done wonders to fill in the rocky terrain at upper elevations. We found good smooth west coast-like conditions, with rimed snow at upper elevations and pretty good heavy powder on sheltered north and east facing slopes. The dense fresh snow keeps you near the surface and off the rocks...
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
We did not encounter any obvious Red Flags. Snowpack structure is suspect in some areas, but overall, things appear to be shaping up pretty well so far with the help of mild temperatures and fairly high RHs. That being said, I have found upper elevation slopes with pretty weak, sugary snow or facets under a developing slab in terrain facing the northern half of the compass...
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Many upper elevation slopes have seen significant accumulations with the help of sustained southwest wind in the past week. Persistent slabs up to a couple feet deep and failing on weak faceted snow are possible on some steep upper elevation slopes especially on the shady side of the compass.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Fresh wind slabs continue developing with our incremental snowfalls and fairly windy conditions. Triggered shallow fresh wind slabs and cornice falls are possible in drifted upper elevation terrain.
Comments
My party congregating near the substantially grown Grand Cornice on Lower Cornice Ridge. Several feet of snow was deposited into the starting zone in the past few days by sustained southwest winds. Note the rime growing into the wind on the trees in the foreground.
