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Observation: Skyline

Observation Date
3/30/2022
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Early morning snow, then scattered clouds. When the sun broke through, it was quickly hot. The wind was moderate to strong from the NW and it was transporting snow. It was also swirling through drainages and along mid-level slopes. By 9 A.M. there was a slight wind crust on some NE shoulders.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 10 cm of fresh on top at 8,950'. This was not damp. The remaining 125cm was all damp. Various strengths, but of note (east-facing pit, 30 degree, 8,950') was a huge wet loose grain segment from 95 cm to 75 cm. Also a few thinner layers of wet loose as the snow got deeper, with the final 25 cm being wet loose grains. ECT 23, failing on the highest wet loose (95cm to 75 cm). Didn't break with much energy. Boot penetration to mid-thigh, a wallow-fest out of the skis. Photo shows large loose wet grains from the bottom 25 cm.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Talking with two other skiers heading in on the skin track as we exited, all standing still, about 8-10 feet from each other, we experienced a large collapse below all of us that everyone heard and felt. Could see that the other skiers were now at least a few inches lower. Benign terrain, less than 20 degree, so not scary.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
The large loose grain segment that is about 40 cm down and runs 20 cm deep is concerning.
Comments
The snow was far less fun than the GE Hill skiing on Tuesday afternoon. This east-facing snow had a continual sound of a wet snowball being packed. Ski tips and tails hooked and released in unpredictable ways. The top 10 cm of fresh and perhaps the top portion of the wet base surface were compressing continually. Yesterday was good for laps. Today was one-and-done, as the fear of injury in the unpredictable snow was too much.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate