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Observation: Skyline

Observation Date
2/22/2013
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/ Steve Cote / Matt
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
South Willow Canyon, accessed from Ephriam Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
We remained in more north facing sheltered area, wind had not affected the new snow, fell straight out of the sky. On final run we headed out to western border of area and wind had thinned the new snow and left it not near as good skiing. The forecast winds with next storm coming in will definately move this new snow around but had not happened yet. Our timing was excellant today
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

On the way up in the flats a breakable crust had formed on top of old snow, but as soon as we got onto more sheltered north facing, the crust disappeared. Very supportable layer sitting on top of MF crust that was reactive in compression tests but would not propagate. This could quickly become an active layer with more loading. Q1 failures at crust on compression tests .

Lots of very low density snow available for transport and as winds build ahead of next storm, loading will definitely accelerate and is most likely already occurring up higher on summit ridges

We experienced no collapses, cracking or other signs of instability in the deeper pack, but still found areas of weaker facet snow very near trees and in very sheltered areas that created sand-box conditions on uptrack, you could just about count on it closer to larger trees

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Q1 compression failures CT 10-12, crust will be a player in next storm cycle that begins tomorrow
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

bond between todays new snow and old snow was not that strong due to cold temps , was able to get some sluffing on steeper terrain, so with more snow, or buried lower density snow under wind slab, things will be active tomorrow.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

more snow, more load

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments

see video discussion and stability tests

Video

MF crust down about 16"-18"

large grained depth hoar at round, larger and more prevalent around brush and rocks

a look at the area from below, we stayed in the more treed area at lookers left , top of picture, slope angles 30-35 degrees with some rollovers that approached 40's.

Coordinates