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Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
11/17/2012
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin Periphery
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Maybe a trace of new that didn't immediately want to bond to the old snow surface. Imagine it has bonded now.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
3" wind slab to damp creamy powder to saturated glop at the lower elevations... Northerly aspects above 9000' ranged from 16" to 28" total depth.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags. Mostly stable snowpack.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,200'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
Snowpack structure is similar to the Cottonwoods but for two things - mid-pack weaknesses prior to this last storm are evident except that they are damp and rounding; ie - un-reactive. Also, storm totals from last weekend was in the 18" range, compared to 30-50" elsewhere. I was unable to initiate any failures much less propagation along any layering within the snowpack, graupel layering included. I would consider the Ogden area mountains to be mostly stable.
A good backcountry partner - breaks trail and doesn't say much.