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Observation: Copleys Canyon

Observation Date
12/25/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Chalk Creek » Copleys Canyon
Location Name or Route
Pahvants - Copleys Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Warm Day with a light breeze.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow pack consolidation has not changed since yesterday. Some aspects have a light proto-corn surface that can be felt a bit while skiing, not supportable but a bit more than a zipper crust. Damp snow in sun exposed areas. Lower portions of the Chalk Creek Road where frozen solid this morning.

HS is approx 14" in most areas not sun affected. Rollerballs on steep aspects all around the compass in the low and mid elevation areas I traveled through today.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Wet snow would be the only red flag I observed today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Normal caution for an extremely thin snow pack.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
6,400'
Comments

HS is approx. 14" in this area. I went here to look at potential exits if we get more snow and also to look at the snow pack in a slightly more interior canyon. Things seem consistent with the west front of the Pahvants.

Photos below:

1. Road conditions at approx 5.800', yesterdays' end of the line for pilgrims, they made it about a 1/2 mile further today and took some effort to unstick a full-size pickup (not me....).

2. Rollerballs on a north aspect.

3. Roller donut on a north aspect.

Low and mid-elevation snow has consolidated into a decent base in the event that we get more snow. Still a bit soft and thick for good low angle skiing.

I would say low danger with the caveat that moderate is possible on the upper elevation norths.

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