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Observation: Hoyt Peak

Observation Date
1/20/2016
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly overcast with very brief periods of blue sky. Periods of moderate to heavy snow (S2 & S5) earlier in the day, on and off snow the later part of the day. Winds were generally from the NW but were swirling around a bit. Temps were in the low 20's to mid teens at 9K.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Not much new snow overnight but snow started in earnest around 7:00 this morning with periods of heavy snow on and off until late morning. On and off snow throughout the rest of the day with only an inch or so of accumulation. Snow was slightly wind affected where we were.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Cracking was in the new snow and just around your skis when breaking trail.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Easiest pit test failures were on the old snow surface from Sunday. They failed with easy effort and with Q2 quality shears. Of two ECT's, one propagated across the column and one didn't.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The second interface to fail was about 17" down and failed with easy-moderate effort and Q2 shears. ECT's did not propagate across the column on this interface.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments

Traveled around the Hoyt peak area today searching out decent skiing so stayed in sheltered terrain mostly out of the wind zone and on slopes up to 32°.

I was surprised how much drifting there was at lower elevations, especially in valley bottoms. The wind was actively moving snow at all elevations yesterday and last night.

Based on my observations, the storm slab was not bonding well with the old snow surface from Sunday (pre-storms). This instability may settle out over the next day or two.

Moderate to considerable danger tomorrow, considerable to high danger in upper elevation wind loaded terrain.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable