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Observation: GE Hill/Skyline Summit

Observation Date
11/29/2014
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/ Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Fairview Canyon » Blind Fork » GE Hill
Location Name or Route
GE Hill, Fairview Canyon Summit
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Weather Comments
relative warmer day, winds moderate from W/SW, we were surprised that pack was not more affected by last few much warmer days.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

widespread massive wind damage from last week evident, highly variable pack in depth, slab strength, rotting, etc. In very sheltered areas, 12" to 14" total depth that is rotting away rather that settling and gaining strength. fetches blown to dirt, and crossloaded gullies or hard slabs well down below crests of ridges. Terrain looks white but on closer inspection, mild depressions are filled in, but most terrain features, including rock, are still exposed. The Skyline is a good month behind Central Wasatch, much like last year started.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No new avalanches, but we did stumble unto thinner slab that triggered rolling collapse on flatter windloaded area near our snowpit (which was more like a hole than a pit). Snow on surface continues to weaken and facet, multilayered hard slabs that ski's would hardly penetrate, but moving furthter downslope, were punchy and impossible to predict. Thin rocky areas would suck you in with softer recystalized snow, but only < 6" of snow between you and the rock.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

With the collapse we had today after several warmer days, and hard slabs scattered everywhere, it is just a question of stepping on the right landmines, and new snow will just add load and disguise triggers

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The only place there is consistent snow to travel on leads along the edge of long cornices typical for the Skyline

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments

Big winds

Starting Zones still bony and without rapidly increasing depth, will facilitate faceting

Access is still a little grim

A look around summit

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates