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Observation: Gibson Lakes Area

Observation Date
3/2/2016
Observer Name
Weed, Pagnucco
Region
SE Idaho » Franklin Basin » Gibson Lakes Area
Location Name or Route
Franklin Basin, Gibson Lakes Area, Danish Pass
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Stayed cool with cloud cover and sustained westerly winds, but could feel a rapid increase in air temperatures when sun occationally popped out.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

We found great "go anywhere" riding conditions and were pleasantly surprised to find pretty nice shallow powder on north facing upper elevation slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Some wind slabs may have formed on top of and preserved last week's faceted surface snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Ridge top cornices might break further back than you expect and could trigger avalanches on steep slopes below.

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

Even though only a few inches accumulated recently, drifting has created wind slabs in lee slope deposition areas. These slabs were surprisingly robust in areas with large upwind fetch areas. We noted significant ongoing drifting in some exposed areas.

Comments

-The east face of Wilderness Peak is an example of a drifted slope that we chose to avoid yesterday.

- Large drifts were forming in areas downwind of large fetch areas (treeless flats where winds pick up fresh snow)

We were a bit surprised to find very nice shallow powder conditions in sheltered north facing terrain.

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