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Observation: Hells Canyon

Observation Date
2/17/2024
Observer Name
UAC Staff/Snowbasin Snow Safety
Region
Ogden » Hells Canyon
Location Name or Route
Hells Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds and temperatures from Mt Ogden, 14°F with winds from the east-northeast 17 gusting to 19 MPH on the ridgetops. Relatively calm winds below the ridges.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Reports of 24" snow and 2.43" of water since February 14th. The snow surface was cold graupel snow and made for supportable skiing. The solar aspects were starting to take some solar energy and were warming up around noon. Small grained surface facets and surface hoar noted up to 6800' that may get broken down before it gets preserved.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We noted a skier triggered soft slab avalanche that failed on small grain facets above a crust on a southeast aspect at 7700'. This avalanche was 50' wide x 14-16" deep and ran 250' putting a pile of debris into the gully that would have been deep to bury a backcountry traveler.
These avalanches failing on a PWL (faceted layer) that was preserved with the last storm is a tricky layer and these avalanches may stick around for up to a week-ten days and are big enough to catch and carry an unsuspecting traveler.
We had an event that is feeling similar to this on primarily southeast aspects last season that lasted for eight days. You can read more about last year's RR event HERE.
Below photo of skier triggered avalanche in the Toilet Bowl area of Hells Canyon.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
39°
Comments
This snowpit was dug in a nearby location to a rider triggered avalanche that Corey and I came across on January 8th. This time the snowpack was much deeper 8' compared to the 3' of snow we saw last time. The weak layers near the ground were rounding facets and our layer of primary concern this time was instabilities within the newest snow. As we descended we also lost some snow height and the hand hardness of the midpack was softer ( as there was less wind-drifted snow).
Height of snow-northeast aspect-8300' -5' (155cm)
Height of snow- east aspect-6700' -4' (125cm) with a very stiff rain crust underneath the newest snow
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates