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Observation: GE Hill

Observation Date
1/1/2023
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Fairview Canyon » Blind Fork » GE Hill
Location Name or Route
GE Hill
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cloudy and off-and-on snow all afternoon. Stunningly warm at 1 P.M., but cold and damp pulse started at 3:45 P.M. Must have been very sheltered, as the wind on the automated stations did not match the mostly calm conditions we had all afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Not the standard Utah powder, but it skied just fine. Turns were consistent and predictable on a creamy several inches. Skinning was straight forward. Several transition zone falls from poles quickly punching more than a meter deep. But never had a breakable turn.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
8,700'
Comments
Dug at bottom of GE Hill, west facing, 8,650 feet. Total depth 165 cm. Bottom 30 cm is medium to large loose wet grains. Not at all the loose dry uncohesive sugar that I was finding two weeks ago. This was loose, but could easily shape into a wedge that held together. Could not get a column to fail on ECT, but when forced to shear with the shovel, it wanted to break at a thin weak layer that was 40 cm from the top. At least on this aspect (west) at this elevation, I am feeling better about the lowest weak layer. No cracking or whumphing observed.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate