Observation: Uintas 11/29/2011

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

11/29/2011

Location or Route:

Murdock Basin and Bald Mt. aprons

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Speed:

Calm

Weather Comments:

Nice sunny day, chilly in the shade and pleasant in the sunshine.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristic Comments:

The snow conditions are anything but smooth, the big winds from the holiday break have really hammerd-away at the snow.

Red Flags

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

Though the wind slabs have settled-out from the weekend, I was still able to get one good collapse at the bottom of the slope as I traveled over a stiff hollow wind slab.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Stability tests still point toward a moderate hazard. An isolated column of snow still propagates a fracture with 12-14 taps from the elbow, but the energy has relaxed a little bit.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Secondary Concern Comments:

The strong winds over the weekend resulted in some natural activity mainly in steep thin rocky terrain.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

This long crown line on Murdock Peak likely happened when strong winds overloaded the thin weak snowpack?

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

This small natural pocket also on Murdock Peak looks to have been started by heavy wind loading.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 4)

The upper elevation terrain has really been worked-over by the recent winds creating a "moon scape" look.

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate