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Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
12/19/2014
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake - Electric Bowl
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Very calm, clear, and cold morning with a few clouds moving in around noon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snowpack is very thin and looking grim on the Manti-Skyline. The entire snowpack is weak and faceted. There are 2 intermittent crust layers in the snowpack with faceting occurring above and below them. With the cold temps and clear skies the pack is only getting weaker. With a new load from wind or heavy snowfall the Skyline's avalanche danger is going to increase substantially.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Again, with any new heavy load on the weak snowpack we will for sure see avalanches...
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
In high, exposed, isolated areas you may still find an old hard wind slab lying on top of weak basal facets on the ground.
Video
Darce talking about our Skyline snowpack just above Electric Lake at about 9500ft.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low