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Observation: Hells Canyon

Observation Date
1/27/2021
Observer Name
Jared Allen
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry » Hells Canyon
Location Name or Route
North of Hell's Canyon
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
8 inches of new, low density snow from the overnight storm bonding well with the weekend storm snow on East and North aspects. Observed pockets of wind slab in an East-facing gully at 7600 ft. In those pockets we had ski penetration of over 30 inches. South facing snow pack structure at 7200 ft. was poor and wind affected.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Didn't dig but mindful of the increased load on our poor, faceted layer near the ground with another storm hitting later today.
Comments
Beautiful morning for a tour ahead of the next storm. Temperature at the trailhead mid 20s.
Sky: OVC
Wind direction: SW
Wind speed: medium to strong gusts
Weather comments: No precipitation. Storm rolling in
Photo: wind loaded NE facing aspect
Video: shows the SW wind transport of new, low density snow down the canyon
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High