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Observation: Skyline

Observation Date
2/19/2024
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
South Skyline
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sunny and warm. The wind picked up along the ridge in the mid-afternoon and was transporting much snow upslope from the west along South Skyline Drive.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Moderate Sastrugi along the ridge near the start of South Skyline. A few hundred meters off the ridge to the west and you were in medium-firm wind buff. Soft light powder on NNW-facing at 9,500 feet. About 900 feet lower on WNW-facing was a wide-spread light sun crust, about 1 cm thick. It easily yielded to skis, both on turns and on the skin track.
Comments
At 9,200 feet WNW-facing, total depth of 175 cm. Top 110 cm all right-side up, then a very dense layer for about 25 cm. Bottom 40 cm still loose.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate