Observation Date
12/19/2016
Observer Name
John Mletschnig
Region
Logan » Little Bear » Paradise Canyon
Location Name or Route
Paradise Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
A steep temperature gradient in the upper snowpack has faceted much of the upper snowpack, particularly around buried crusts. Large grain facets on the ground are moist and seem unreactive at mid elevations.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The existing snowpack has weak snow surrounding mid elevation rain melt freeze crusts. The snowpack currently seems to lack a cohesive enough slab to cause propagation aside from perhaps in wind loaded areas.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Mid to upper snowpack weaknesses around crusts on faceted grains could potentially be reactive where buried by a cohesive slab (most likely from wind loading). Upper snowpack crust layers (below 8500') could potentially be a player in future storms acting to help link a surface slab together and breed further facet grain weakness.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
7,800'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
In pits tests I was un able to see propagation but did lack a significant overlaying slab. Weak layers under upper snowpack crusts collapsed in the easy and moderate range on compression tests and had moderate friction.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
