Observation: Steep Hollow

Observation Date
1/2/2014
Observer Name
Weed, Archibald
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Steep Hollow
Location Name or Route
Corner Pocket
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Nice day to be in the mountains and out of the smog... Always good to be able to get up into this beautiful cirque.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Shallow powder and recrystallized surface snow made for fast turning conditions. Lower angled terrain offered the best riding conditions anyway, so not so hard to resist the temptation.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snow pit tests were fairly clear. Decided to back off the alluring Corner Pocket due to consitent ECTP results on an adjacent test slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

On some slopes in the area, a cohesive slab rests atop the widespread very weak faceted snow, and you might very well trigger a dangerous avalanche...

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

More concerned about drifting overloading slopes with poor snow structure and thickening or hardening existing slab layers, but the presence of weak recrystallized surface snow and surface hoar or frost indicate the potential for rapid fresh wind slab development with significant drifting.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
35°
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates