Observation Date
2/12/2014
Observer Name
Hardesty and Wilson
Location Name or Route
Lambs toward Mt Aire
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Rain/snowline perhaps 6000'...
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor structure; avalanches likely but obscured by poor vis today.
Comments

Lambs Canyon toward Mt. Aire. Travel was from 6800-8400' looking at generally east to northwest facing slopes.

No signs of avalanching, significant cracking or real collapsing. Visibility was quite poor, but I would imagine that some of this terrain also went through an avalanche cycle over last weekend.

Cracking noted of to 2' deep into old facets, though noted only within a 5' radius. I could collapse the 2' slab down into the older facets, but no "collapsing or whoomphing" per se. With such a poor structure, I was shocked to not be able to get a collapse or a remotely triggered slide.

Quick notes on snow structure -

7800' East HS - 120-150cm ECTX - thicker snowpack area - seemed fairly stable

8200' NNW HS - 100cm ECTX - simple structure of 40cm of storm snow over crusts and weak facets

8200' N HS 140cm ECTP25 - 60 cm slab overlying facet/crust/facet combo...then devolving into facets and depth hoar

45 second video on terrain traps with rain on snow events -

Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable