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Observation: Lewis Peak Area

Observation Date
1/12/2019
Observer Name
evelyn
Region
Ogden » Lewis Peak Area
Location Name or Route
Lewis Peak area from North Ogden Divide
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Pass was in the clouds when I arrived, with an easterly flow blowing clouds up and over. Riming on the branches, but not snow surface. A short ways up, and into the sun. Pass was in the sun when I left. Temperatures cool.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface and near surface facets on the shady slope. Low down, the surface hoar was rimed, higher it was clean. It was easy to trigger very small surface sluffs, both in areas where it's on a wind slab and slopes without wind slabs. Some "styrofoam" conditions, but snow was generally softer than I expected.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Mostly the poor structure is for the future, next time it snows. There could still be a few hard wind drifts that could be triggered.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
6,500'
Slope Angle
29°
Comments
Snow profile above: Dug in a wind sheltered area. Surface snow is weakening, surface hoar is fairly wide spread on the shady slopes. Mid pack weak layer beneath the crust was unreactive, and will hopefully strengthen at this elevation? I'd still dig down and keep track of it.
A quick pit at 7,300, north facing, was actually more interesting as it was up in more wind affected terrain. Hard wind slabs of different thicknesses, sitting on weak snow. In the pit below, ECTN2 right below the wind slab. ECTX on the lower layer, but then the lower weak layer "popped" out cleanly with the pull of a shove. So again, I'd still be digging down and keeping track of this lower weak layer. My layering of concern right now though are the wind slabs - that in very isolated places you could pop one out and go for a ride.
Other photos:
Surface hoar
riming near the pass - on the upwind side of the branches only
view - clouds down low, sun up high
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low