Avalanche: Uintas 1/27/2011

Observation Date: 
01/27/2011
Occurrence Date: 
01/27/2011
Occurrence Time: 
Unknown
Region: 
Uintas
Location Name: 
Western Uintas
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Avalanche Characteristics
Elevation: 
Unknown
Trigger: 
Unknown
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Weak Layer: 
Surface Hoar
Depth (avg): 
unknown
Width: 
Unknown
Vertical: 
Unknown
General Comments

Here's a few photos from the Western Uintas that were sent in by 2 different folks.  Thanks so much guys!  We greatly appreciate the submissions!

Looks like most of the activity involving the Jan. 8th surface hoar (SH) has been on mid & high elevation slopes facing N, NE & E.  The SH has certainly come alive in the last week & we've heard of numerous human triggered avalanches failing in a variety of forms.  SH is notoriously tricky, and the layer continues to earn it's reputation.  Avalanches have been failing mid slope & many of the slides have been on pretty low angle terrain too.

Looking around the Uintas today, the surface hoar is preserved almost everywhere.  The determining factor seams to be the crust and it's varied strength. Unfortunately, I have a feeling this layer will continue to catch people off gaurd this weekend.  Once we really start adding a load to it (in the form of significant water/storm snow), things will get very interesting.

1-27-2011 ride 019.JPG
General Comments 2
1-27-2011 ride 025.JPG
General Comments 3
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General Comments 4
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