Observation Date
1/4/2017
Observer Name
Wally Macfarlane
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon
Location Name or Route
Providence Canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Full on blizzard.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Upside down snowpack. The weekends light density snow is now buried by moderate density snow. It was deep but the joke of the day was it was "the worst day of the season". This is a tribute to just how good we have had this season. The trail breaking was arduous at times, but much better in dense forested terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
On the way up the canyon on snowmobiles we remotely triggered two small sluffs,10 to 12 inches deep, 20 to 50 feet wide and running for less that 30 feet.
While skinning up 30 degree slopes we found the top foot of snow to be extremely sensitive, with cracking and failures happening very frequently.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
On a North facing slope we saw a small cornice fall that landed on the storm slab near a ridge line at 9000 ft. I was 18 inches deep 100 feet wide and run for 200 linear feet.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The snow had a slab like consistency even in the most sheltered terrain. Lots of cracking.
If it was steep enough (approaching 35 degrees) for fun floating turns it cracked and sluffed and felt like it could avalanche. It was a day to stay in the very dense trees and lower angle slopes. I bet the ski area was a better bet today.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
