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Observation: Sunrise Hill

Observation Date
1/20/2024
Observer Name
weed, pagnucco
Region
Logan » Bear Lake » Hodges Canyon » Sunrise Hill
Location Name or Route
Bear Lake Overlook, Sunrise Hill
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mild and cloudy
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Stiff, kinda dense, coastal "powder." Consistency of mashed potatoes.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We triggered a few nice whumpfs. Horrible snowpack structure. An area with a shallow, rotten snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
7,800'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments
We decided to try a quick ski up at Sunrise Campground. On a very crowded weekend in Logan Canyon, we found pleasant and quiet conditions, with just a few other people and freshly groomed ski and snowshoe trails. As well as fantastic views of Bear Lake, we found very poor snowpack structure and persistent weak layers of very weak faceted snow and we triggered a few heart-stopping collapses or whumpfs.
Snowpit stability tests consistently showed full propagation and pretty unstable snow. (short video)
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates