Obs-Snow Profile: Uintas 1/10/2012

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

01/10/2012

Location or Route:

Whitney Basin, Moffit Peak

Weather

Sky:

Few

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

A cold start in town this morning with single digits, but in the mountains mid twenties and sunshine.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

The access to some of the riding areas is getting a little rough. Not enough snow has kept the groomers from getting out and smoothing the trail. The weekend storm added a bit of new snow, 4-5" in the Moffit Peak area and riders are beginning to ease into some of the bigger terrain.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

You can almost predict where you might hear and see collapsing and cracking as you travel around. The fat rounded pillows where the wind has deposited a slab on top of weak snow is a sure bet for these red flags.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Today there was just enough wind that was moving the new snow around and the increase in winds tonight should elevate the hazard.

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 48' 29.1348" N, 110° 56' 39.5484" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

While approaching this test slope a crack propagated out in front of me. The slope is east facing and wind loaded and the slope angle is approximately 32 degrees.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

With a little more help and coaxing the slope failed.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

This 12" deep one finger hard wind slab failed on facets below the dirt layer. There is a good chance a person could find more of these fairly sensitive slabs in areas that are wind loaded and on the northside of the compass.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 4)

While over on the east side of Moffit Peak I observed two fairly recent slides. The larger one had some tracks on top of the debris and I'm not sure if it was triggered or a natural slide that someone rode up afterwards? I'm guessing these happened over the weekend sometime?

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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