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Observation: Deep Canyon

Observation Date
3/22/2024
Observer Name
weed, pagnucco
Region
Logan » Wellsville Mountain Wilderness » Deep Canyon
Location Name or Route
Deep Canyon, Wellsville Mountain Wilderness
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
We only noticed the SW wind when we got up to the ridge.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow was rough in places due to last week's east wind and a little inconsistent. It was pretty solid up high, with decent, gradually softening "corn snow" conditions on northeast-facing slopes. As we got lower, in the early afternoon, the snow became very soft, unsupportable, and slushy. We were able to initiate small wet slides on sunny lower-elevation slopes as we descended the summer trail. There were a couple of places where you had to take the skis off to cross the rocks and mud where snow is rapidly melting off the summer trail.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Mostly minor collapsing and cracking of the warming M/F crust around the skis at mid-elevations, but at one point, I triggered a slightly larger collapse in the afternoon on a previously drifted terrain feature. We were sinking pretty deeply into soft and saturated (sopping wet) snow on our way down the summer trail, especially in sunny terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Comments
We did not find great spring conditions except in a few smoother places in lower-angled terrain in upper elevations. The snow up high in Deep Canyon was hammered by the strong easterly winds last week, exceedingly warm temperatures, and powerful sun this week. In some places, sastrugi and previously wind-drifted areas were interspersed with glistening melt/freeze ice patches. The dusty layer from March 1 was back on the snow surface in many places, speeding the melt and adding to the inconsistency of the snow surface.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates