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Observation: Huntington Canyon

Observation Date
2/17/2021
Observer Name
Kobernik
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon
Location Name or Route
Huntington Canyon
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There is enough faceted basal snow scattered through Huntington Canyon to warrant monitoring. This issue is most pronounced around the Camp Chutes area. Below that, there is faceted snow but it gets really thin below The Forks. The snow on top of the weak snow in the mid and lower canyon is quite shallow also. Basically, no threat to the road currently.
Comments
The recent storm was a pretty decent one for Huntington C. Accumulations were 2' at the Dam study plot and about half that at The Forks. While measuring snow at the Dam Study plot I experienced a massive collapse. I dug a quick snowpit down near Blue Cut. HS is only about 2' total. ECT results fail on basal facets upon isolation.
The big picture is that mid and lower regions of the canyon have little avalanche threat due to an overall shallow snowpack. The Camp Chute area is the main focus because of basal facets and a deep enough snowpack to cause concern. There was some natural activity that occurred on Monday. DETAILS HERE All that said, we will need another significant loading event for any avalanches from the Camp Chutes to reach the road.
Photo below: Snowpack near the base of Blue Cut
Photo below: Blue Cut viewed from the north looking south. Snowpack becomes even shallower as you descend the canyon.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates