Observation Date
12/8/2015
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Logan River » Tony Grove » Pt. 9248
Location Name or Route
Blind-Tony Saddle
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Up in the rime cloud at Pt. 9248. Rime forming on trees and new crust on snow surface. Mild, with sustained southwest winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very dense and supportable new snow from overnight now capping widespread very weak sugary or faceted November snow. 1F New snow supportable for skis, mine rarely sinking more than 2 inches into surface..
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Heavy snow was certainly drifted into many upper elevation stating zones, with 1 to 1.5 foot deep drifts observed in places. Not trusting the hard slabby new snow despite the fact that it was only a few inches deep, I did not feel compelled to test the stability of these drifted slopes. Small test areas a did test were somewhat active, with cracking and some small failures where thin slabs or thicker wind crusts capped shallow and very weak faceted snow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,700'
Slope Angle
20°
Rime forming on the trees up in the cloud that hung on the ridge, with sustained southwesterly winds. Rime also forming a crunchy crust on the snow surface in exposed areas.
The new thin slab layer consisting of a few inches of heavy rimed snow from overnight failed easily in shallow areas, with well developed facets tbeing he culprits.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
