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Observation: Pahvant Range

Observation Date
4/29/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range
Location Name or Route
Pahvants - Mine Camp Peak
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold day for this time of year. Wind was sporadic. Drfits up to 12" deep.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

4" of mostly graupel sitting on a solid spring base. Well bonded, no sluffing while skiing 40 degree plus slopes.

NW was still dry at 1 pm while due north was slightly affected by the sun. Damp below 8,500'

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Rapid warming but with low consequences due to the shallow new snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Always an issue this time of the year. I think the dense snow helped, I saw no activity when I exited at 2 pm.

Moderate danger.

Comments

No profile, a consistent 4" above 8500' much less lower. I was able to skin from the car @8,200' this morning but had to do some walking on my return.

Photos below:

1. Ice feathers, most surfaces were covered in these or massive rime.

2. Parking lot, 4WD required with low range on the descent!

3. Terrain

4 End of season spragging....Much more pleasant than my 6,000' + run on breakable crust in the Sierras last week.

Low danger in areas of dry snow and moderate as it dampens. Crux of the day was low elevation mud ruts made by bigger trucks.

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