Observation: Uintas 2/5/2010

Submitted by tedscroggin

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

02/05/2010

Location or Route:

Moffit Basin

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Generally light snowfall early in the afternoon then becoming mostly cloudy, with moderate to gusty winds along ridgelines and 1-2" new accumulation.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Nice powder snow conditions with a few new inches that have accumulated during the week have made for some good riding and turning.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Red Flag Comments:

Winds early in the morning and afternoon were creating a fresh round of wind slabs that were moderatley sensitive to the weight of a person, some of these wind slabs are sitting on some preserved surface hoar.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Deep Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

I did observe one older slide on a southeast aspect that failed on weak faceted snow, it was 2-3" deep, 250' wide and 350 long. Unsure of the cause, there was sled tracks at the bottom of the slope, but I think it was more likely a natural from wind loading?

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Generally a moderate danger. but with areas of elevated hazard which would be steep, thin and rocky places where a slide could be t

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Fresh wind drifts along exposed ridgelines were propagating fractures, these were mostly manageable, only fracturing at your feet or machine.

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