Observation: Dog Leg Trees

Observation Date
12/31/2015
Observer Name
Weed
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon » Dog Leg Trees
Location Name or Route
Long Mountain (Millville Peak)---Dog Leg Area
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold and shady in the Dog Leg Area... Had to keep puffy coat on while hiking and hard to stop for long.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

A great way to close out 2015, we found lovely snow on the south side of Providence Canyon. A couple inches of nice fresh light powder on the surface certainly improved the already fine riding conditions. The fresh snow was a bit faster than earlier in the week.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Other than widespread week-old evidence of large natural avalanches and existing poor snow structure, no obvious signs of instability noted. We felt comfortable in steep terrain since most suspect slopes had avalanched during the impressive storm just before Christmas. With the rapid overloading of the weak snow, it appears the area controlled itself and everthing that was going to avalanche came out naturally with nobody around to see.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Seems unlikely, but there may be areas where you could trigger a nasty deep slab and I'm still getting positive propagation results in some test pits after I isolate a column. But the slab layer is so thick and hard in most areas that the weak faceted snow underneath appears bridged and our weight apparently has little affect. No new avalanches have been reported in the area since the Christmas Storm.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Increasing winds will find plenty of light surface snow to drift into wind slabs...

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,800'
Slope Angle
37°
Comments

Feathery surface hoar grew during the day, with sizable 2D crystals forming in our up-track between runs.

-We found nice riding conditions, even in steep terrain that had avalanched during the active Christmas Storm.

-One of the many mostly filled-in crowns from natural activity more than a week ago.

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