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Observation: Ephraim Canyon

Observation Date
12/20/2013
Observer Name
Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Ephraim Canyon
Location Name or Route
Ephraim Canyon
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

New snow was a medium density, no evidence of wind transport of new snow

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Due to the low snow the pack is rotting from the ground up. Did find a cm layer of buried surface hoar under the new snow, the warm temp's before the storm did not destroy all of the faceted snow on this north slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Did see the creation of some wind loading upper slopes above bluebell. As the wind increase after the passage of the next front and the loading of these steeper bowls over the weak snow could be enough to trigger some slides. These slopes are being tested by some riders as the only areas with a deeper snow pack.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
15°

This shows what a low snow pack we have on the Skyline, the next picture shows upper Ephraim canyon and the snow loading on the small bowls.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates