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Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
12/5/2019
Observer Name
Darce Trotter / Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Lower Electric Lake Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Low visibility day, low clouds hung in all day, visibility actually worsened around lunch time,
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
North facing was creamy spongy well consolidated pack with a couple of inches new on top, boot penetration but while on skis, well supporting. Pack is starting to grow, we found minimal facets at the ground with well strengthening base layer in this area. If you moved around more east facing, MF crust has formed a couple of inches down under new paint job that got stronger as you moved East. South facing likely capped with MF crust from warm weather last few days. More sheltered N steeper terrain is holding more facets at the ground, but we did not venture into main bowl due to shallow pack and still hidden rocks, timber, etc.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Persistent facets in sheltered area could be activated due to shallow overall pack, but since ground anchors are just getting covered,, they still remain a hazard. We hope for continued new snow without going high and dry, and base will build up strong.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Facets exist in variable thicknesses all over, video shows how column test failed at the ground just as you would think it would.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Video
could activate facets in simple column, but not in extended column, likely due to strengthening of the right side up pack
Video
9000', 20 degrees NNE, 20 degree slope, 70 cm-28", great start for the year, you could find trouble if you really wanted to, but lower angle slopes have great coverage, spongy great skiing, why look for trouble?
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates