The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 27 degrees, there is 56 inches of total snow, and 67% of average water content for the date. It's 18 degrees at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, with 20 mph northwest winds. The best snow conditions are found in sheltered shady terrain at mid elevations, where you might find some nice fast re-crystallized powder and sparkly frost crystals or surface hoar. Most areas sport less desirable conditions, with breakable sun-crusts on sunny slopes, rime-crust at upper elevations, and wind-jacked snow in exposed terrain..
There were many close calls over the weekend in the Utah backcountry, with way too many people taken for dangerous rides in avalanches they or someone in their party triggered. Several people ended up partially buried and a couple fully buried, thankfully rescued quickly by members of their party or others nearby. There were also a couple injuries. Luckily, or miraculously, nobody was killed. Bruce Tremper published a telling blog...... HERE
Locally; Riders remote triggered a large and dangerous avalanche in a popular area above the Tony Grove Lake Campground over the weekend, I think on Sunday. The unreported 2' deep avalanche on a steep north-northeast facing slope at around 8400' in elevation was at least 250' wide, and it ran violently through thick trees down into the campground. Link HERE. and check out the video ....Please remember to report avalanches you see in the backcountry, the information you provide could save lives..
On Friday in the Monte Cristo Area in the Ogden Area Mountains, a rider was completely buried in a 400' wide persistent slab avalanche he triggered from low on the slope. His well trained companions were able to locate and extricate him quickly from a four-foot-deep burial. click HERE
I continue to receive reports of, and I have observed, extensive audible collapsing or whumpfing from across the Bear River Range. This indicates the presence of unstable snow and potential avalanches.
Here's a link to our updated avalanche list...
