January 6
Area:
Sessions
Location:
Mueller park, Kern river pipeline, Holbrook canyon and return.
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
5200’-9000’, angles to 40°, southwest, east, north and northeast.
Avalanche activity:
Sympathetic triggered on northeast facing walking the ridge, cornice fall naturals on east facing in the afternoon.
Slopes skied:
North facing into Holbrook canyon, west and southwest facing to Kern river pipeline.
Snow surface and conditions:
Total snow pack of 4-12” on the ascent of the kern river pipeline to around 8500’. This is all west and southwest facing. On the shady aspects there is 2’-3’ depending on aspect and elevation with northeast having the most. Winds picked up and immediately drifted the snow. A sympathetic was triggered shortly after attaining the ridge on a northeast facing. Natural activity was noted in the afternoon, consisting of cornice falls. There was wind and drifting down to about 7’000’, with cracking on both the shady and on cross loaded pockets on the decent. All were in localized areas, none over about 20’ wide. The cornice fall noted was around 40’, only running a short distance.
Weather:
Overcast with winds from the west and northwest. Spits and sputters of snow, no accumulation. Cool temperatures because of wind chill.
Snow pit:
Evaluation:
Winds were moving the 4 or so inches of snow especially along the ridges. I’d expect these drifts would remain active, as the interface is light density. It’s doubtful but not impossible that drifting along the ridges could produce slides in older faceted weak layering, if the right spot is found.
© wowasatch.com