Obs-Snow Profile: Uintas 1/10/2012

Observer Name:

Craig Gordon/Trent Meisenheimer

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

01/10/2012

Weather

Sky:

Few

Wind Speed:

Calm

Weather Comments:

Wx not affecting snow stability

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Snow conditions and quality vary in the span of just a couple yards.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Cracking

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

While you'd have to go hunting for an avalanche, the danger is very real and the consequences severe.

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 27' 42.8508" N, 111° 9' 1.1232" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Trent grabs a handful of very weak snow that sits near the ground. This old snow has the strength and consistency of rock salt.

Video 1:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Here's the type of terrain where you could trigger a slide that breaks to the ground. The New Years wind blew from the right to left in this picture, forming a hard, cohesive slab on weak sugary snow. This type of snow will feel super strong under our sled, but is deceptively dangerous.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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