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Observation: Powder Mountain Backcountry

Observation Date
1/14/2013
Observer Name
orum/pollick
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
east of powder mtn
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Temps in the basement starting out at -10 topping out at a balmy 2.6F. Light snow all day maybe 1".
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Blower.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Found one natural cornice fall triggering a slide running 70'. see piture below. N-NE aspect 8300'. Did stability tests at 8200' N aspect HS 153cm. Results: ECT3Q1@105 BURIED 9mm Surface Hoar. 2nd test site: 8360' NE HS 155cm ECT25Q1@65 Sudden Planer on Buried Surface Hoar above a MF crust, did it again ECT24Q1@65 Sudden Collapse. 3rd site 7970' NW HS 90cm ECT21Q1/SC@26 Facets, ECT14Q1/SC@65 facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

With cornice kicks new snow would become entrained and run far and fast but not step down. Will stay the same with the cold.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

persistent weak layer not going away plus the addition of buried surface hoar.

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