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Observation: Ephraim Canyon

Observation Date
12/18/2016
Observer Name
Brett Kobernik
Region
Skyline » Ephraim Canyon
Location Name or Route
Ephraim Canyon to upper Manti Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The sun made it feel much warmer than anticipated today but the cold temps were very noticeable in the shade late in the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Some wind crusts and firmer snow along the high ridges but not as much wind damage as I expected.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

I had "Wind Slabs" in my forecast today as the primary concern with a CONSIDERABLE danger rating for the higher north through east facing steep wind loaded slopes. After poking around today I would rate the danger as LOW to MODERATE. The recent wind drifted snow seems to be plastered into place. I hit tons of high elevation north through east facing steep test slopes with my machine today and had no results whatsoever.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments

I haven't dug around in the 10000' range for a while now and I was quite pleased with what I found today. The new snow is stable and the older snow from Thanksgiving is looking quite good. I do not see any significant weak layers anywhere in the snowpack at this time.

There was much less avalanche activity from during the storm than I would have anticipated. Actually, I saw no significant avalanches from the storm at all. There was widespread cornice falls but they did not trigger any serious avalanches once they hit the slopes below.

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