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Observation: Chubby Hollow

Observation Date
12/11/2022
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Logan » Bear Lake » Chubby Hollow
Location Name or Route
Garden City Cyn Overlook
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Throughout the day while breaking trail, I experienced nearly a dozen collapses on slopes facing SW, S through E. In two different pit locations, the November snow at the bottom of the snowpack is faceted on these same aspects. I'm not sure which weak layer was failing in these collapses as several locations had a fairly stiff midpack overlying the November facets. About 20-30 cm down from the surface, buried surface hoar was readily observable and produced failures, albeit without propagation in snowpit tests. About 30-40 cm down, there also seemed to be some buried near-surface-facets as well, but these were harder to clearly identify.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Lots of evidence of recent wind loading in the last 24 hrs- e.g. skin tracks filled in, fluting near ridgelines, and small cornices. However, for most of the day, the winds were light.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,500'
Comments
Snow started in earnest around 4 pm.
Still lots of good skiing on SW aspects below 30 degrees.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates