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Observation: Skyline

Observation Date
12/12/2022
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
North of Electric Lake
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Weather Comments
Repeated squalls and then broken blue skies from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sublime light snow and fantastic turns on low angle. Skis were fully supportable on the ups and downs, but poles frequently broke through to the ground, especially on kick turns on the skin track. This despite the total snow being about 95 cm. On the south facing aspen-filled approach and exit, a solid sun crust under today's fresh. Not breakable but certainly noticeable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
Solid whumph that we both felt and heard. Did not experience any whumphing yesterday while skiing N and NW aspects, similar elevation.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,900'
Comments
So different from yesterday's N and NW aspects at 8,700 feet, near Big Drift. Today we were on East facing at 8,950 just north of Electric Lake when we had a very obvious whumph. Dug a pit and found that the bottom 35cm was all very loose large grains. I looked under the bed and found monsters. I would not feel comfortable being on or under anything steep East facing in the northern end of the range based on what I saw near the ground.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable