Observation Date
1/31/2014
Observer Name
Kendall-Kobernik
Region
Skyline » Spring City Canyon
Location Name or Route
Spring City Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Afternoon tour in Spring City Canyon gave us bits of blue sky, some fast moving clouds, some low clouds (making visibility difficult- vertigo inducing!) and spitting snow/graupel.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Most locations where we traveled today had about 10" of new storm snow. The new snow sat on a 1-2" wind crust and, in places that didnt have the wind crust, it was new snow on facets. Trail breaking was easy if you could manage to stay in areas that held the wind crust.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We felt multiple collapses while skinning up a low angle west facing slope. The shake was enough to kill the desire to get on anything steeper.
Comments
Boot penetration was to the hip when stepping off the beaten path. Travel proved difficult for snow machines as the track would sink into the underlying facets and fail to gain traction.
Jumping in as the cloud ceiling rises just enough to provide decent visibility.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
