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Observation: Providence Canyon

Observation Date
1/7/2015
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon
Location Name or Route
Providence Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
A bit too warm for January! Shorts and t-shirt weather at 9000'
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mixed bag of snow conditions. Good go-anywhere riding though, on supportable snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

I noticed some fresh wet activity on east and southeast facing upper elevation slopes. In particular, were a few large wet slides, I could see from above in Charlie's Hollow. These gouged all the existing snow to the ground and left an impressive snaking pile of debris in the steep-walled gully. I also noticed fresh wet avalanches off the east face of Providence Peak and below the cliffs in the Sunday Camp saddle...

Hoping temperatures drop significantly soon!

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

I noticed evidence of several recent natural wind slab avalanches at upper and lower elevations. I noticed these fairly small hard slab avalanches at all elevations, and on southwest and southeast facing slopes as well as the other more common aspects.. I did not see any fresh wind slab releases, and I think the activity was mostly at the very end of last year during a strong east wind event.. (December 31)

Comments

Views of some of the natural wind slab activity from strong east wind the very end of last year.

Here's some of the fresh wet avalanche activity...

Sunday Camp saddle.

Charlie's Hollow.

Surface Hoar or frost. When buried in this fragile state these glittery crystals can become a problematic tricky persistent weak layer.

Coyote tracks in surface hoar.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate