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Observation: Mountain Sheep Canyon

Observation Date
1/10/2016
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Chalk Creek » Mountain Sheep Canyon
Location Name or Route
Peak 8304
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
calm, foggy day with a trace of snow, most of it rimed. Just enough new snow to perhaps cover and preserve the surface hoar I forgot to mention yesterday. See photos below.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Powder on all aspects, skied/traveled on all aspects.

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags today, some sluffing on aspects >35 degrees, minor.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Normal caution for traveling in low and mid elevations. Note, the maximum elevation reached today was 8,300' I was not in any wind exposed areas.

Low danger in areas traveled.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The basal facets are still lurking but I feel that it would take a large load to reactivate.

Low danger in areas traveled.

Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
7,800'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments

Of note is the base of the profile, damp recrystallized snow, no facets. Mid pack is very strong in this area. North aspects felt a bit weaker while skiing.

A slight density inversion in this week's snow, it is possible to shear it by hand in some locations.

Photos below, fog and typical terrain.

Overall an impressive snow pack for mid elevations in this area, I would imagine that some of the terrain I have skied in the last two days is not always skiable this time of year.

Peak 8304 forms the north side of Mountain Sheep Canyon. Exited into Horse Hollow, not for the faint of heart, major bushwhacking! No signs of traffic on the Chalk Creek road on the climb back to the Pavant Valley from the base of Horse Hollow.

Hazard is for areas traveled only, I was not in any wind exposed areas that may contain wind slabs.

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