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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 13, 2022
Submitted:
January 15, 2022
Observer:
TAC - Andy
Zone or Region:
Taos Area
Location:
Long Canyon

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Solar aspects at lower elevations had wet snow on the surface. Small rollerballs were observed on steep south-facing terrain starting around rock outcroppings.

Media

Was able to make it around all the blowdowns in Long Canyon, higher up off the access trail large swathes of forest got destroyed form the Dec 15th wind event
Lots of glopping up transitioning from wet to dry snow

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
35 - 45
Wind:
Calm , NW

Very warm and sunny day for the middle of January with temperatures above freezing and climbing into the mid 40's under clear and sunny skies.

Snowpack Observations

Very warm spring day for the middle of January, with constant glopping up on the skins, as I transitioned from wet to dry snow. Solar aspects and lower elevations were taking heat and the upper 5 to 15cm of the snowpack was wet on these aspects. First time back in Long Canyon this year and there was evidence of old natural avalanches from the Jan 1st avalanche cycle on North and East aspects near and above treeline.

In snowpits I depth hoar facet layers near the ground are showing signs of rounding and strengthening and I was getting hard force or no results in extended column tests. Overall, snowpack depths seemed to be less in this drainage than the Williams Lake side.

Terrain Use

Good turns could still be had on northerly wind-sheltered slopes, skiing near-surface facets in dry cold snow.

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