January 17
Area:
Oquirrahs
Location:
Ophir canyon to the shoulder of Lowe peak and return.
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
6400’-10000’?, angles to 40°, south west north and northwest.
Avalanche activity:
None
Slopes skied:
West northwest face of Lowe peak from the south shoulder out Ophir canyon.
Snow surface and conditions:
6”-8” toal snow at 6400’ increasing to near 30 inches on the ascent in mid elevation terrain. The upper elevations were wind hammered with unknown depths to wind scoured, bare ground showing. Mid elevation snow was also sheltered enough to provide wind scuffed settled powder. Surface hoar was widespread at mid and lower elevations, small grained except near the creek.
Good support on skis, bot penetration was to the ground in most areas out of the wind. No cracking or collapsing.
Weather:
Clear skies. Inverted temperatures. Winds from the west northwest along the ridge, gusting to near 20 mph at times.
Snow pit:
Evaluation:
Snow is mostly stable. Some isolated potential for slab release on the most wind loaded north and east facing near the upper elevation ridges.
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