Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 12, 2023
Submitted:
March 12, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Joe Dellaporta
Zone or Region:
East South
Location:
Gold Hill Ridge/Union Creek Drainage (NW-SE)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Favorable snowpack structure found on the Gold Hill Ridge
SW aspects of Gold Hill
Good ski quality was observed in more sheltered, shaded aspects.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
Below freezing°F
Wind:
Light , SE
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN: 4 in

Snowing moderately throughout the day (S2) and we observed some light SE winds near ridgetop.

Snowpack Observations

Today my partner and I traveled into the western part of the east south on Gold Hill Ridge. Overall, we found a favorable upper snowpack structure, stubborn wind slabs, and variable (crusty) travel conditions on solar aspects.

On our climb on south aspects we noticed a breakable sun crust that extends up to 4800 ft. Above this we started getting into colder and drier snow.

A snow profile on a SE aspect/ NW aspect reveled a favorable snowpack structure and unremarkable test results. In both locations the Valentines crust acts as a prominent marker in the upper snowpack and sits about 80-100 cm below the snow surface in this location. Look at test profile photos for more details.

New snow was piling up by the time we reached our car. We observed about 4 inches of dense new snow.












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