Observation: Twin Lakes Pass

Observation Date
3/9/2013
Observer Name
Aaron Rice
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Twin Lakes
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very wind affected, ranging from soft and creamy to 1-finger hardness slabs.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Comments
Skied 2 laps off the ridge just south of Twin Lakes pass on the east facing slope ending at Twin Lake. and was getting widespread cracking on almost every turn. a couple of the cracks propagated into small avalanches that were less than 20ft wide and ran less than 20ft. Included below is one of the largest. Interestingly, this one was triggered in a moderately treed area at the bottom of the run (not along a ridge line, below a cornice, or in an open area) showing that the wind was blowing pretty good earlier in the day.