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Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
2/16/2025
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake area
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Non-stop snow starting at 11:30 A.M., still falling when we exited at 5:30 P.M. Wind was moving all day, mostly from the West and Northwest. Much snow transport.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
We were on East, North and South between roughly 8,400' and 9,800'. All had some wind crust, from light to stout. Snow is supportive enough on skis, but poles or a boot not on a ski find the ground quickly. Made for loads of humorous transition fails. Thin coverage on south-facing, less than 70cm even up high at 9,400 feet. A lot of north facing at the same elevation around 120cm-130cm.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind pillows and ridges all over the place, all aspects, on ridgelines, drainages and mid-slope. Snow at the base is still loose unconsolidated, as evidenced by much transition wallowing. A person in our group watching me dig a pit said it looked more like bailing than shoveling, as the sugar would just flow like water right back into the hole. Multiple whumphs on north-facing felt by all in our group. One large collapse while we were on a slope had every head swivel to look up the hill to see if it was going to pop out. Fortunately we were on a slope that was 18 degrees. That collapse was large and forceful.
Comments
Dug a pit on north-facing 30 degree at 8,800 feet. Total depth 130cm. A stout 5cm crust with a very clear dirt layer with loads of imbedded leaves at 60cm from the ground. Below that, mostly loose unconsolidated. The column failed on isolation as soon as that crust was cut, but with not much energy.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable