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Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
12/18/2015
Observer Name
Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake bowl
Weather
Sky
Clear
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow was still light, skis would sink to the old faceted layers, only in the wind affected areas there was a slab over the old faceted snow. This thin slab was weakening and faceting.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Along the skyline ridge tops there were - Wedding Ring ridge - 6 slides. due to the new snow, and winds from this storm and the old faceted snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Wind slabs just under the cornices and cornice releases caused these avalanches, and there is just enough new snow to get under the steeper slopes.

Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,500'
Slope Angle
15°
Comments

The total snow was 74 cm and 40 cm new. This new snow was light powder over facets. The new snow was a fist to the faceted snow.

This maybe the same bunch of avalanches that Cowboy saw on Thursday. One looked bigger than than on the Thurs pictures. Only below the steep ridge tops is there considerable danger. If the winds pick up as the next storm comes in there could be more avalanches due to strong SW winds and the amount of available loose snow.

At millers flat the stake has 60 cm and 35 cm was new snow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates