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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
2/20/2016
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas / Peak 10,002'
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The wind picked up during the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

The snow conditions ran the gamut today. Not much to say other than if the snow isn't good, change aspect by just a few degrees and find something else.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Biggest red flag was the wide range of aspects affected by the warm temperatures. The steep, shaded aspects had plenty of sloughing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

There were plenty of rollers balls after around 1PM. There were also several natural wet slides observed on SW aspects.

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

While buried ~115cm down and less likely to be triggered by a skier, there is still 30 cm of facets on the ground. This could be enough for the weight of a sled to trigger.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
  • While my CT results were negative, it took very little pressure to pull the entire column down
  • The rain crust was prevalent up to about 9400'
  • There was graupel about 5cm under the snow surface on the east facing elevation we climbed
  • A hand pit at 8200' east facing had a sun(?) crust about 20 cm down. Facets were beginning to form beneath this crust due to the large temperature gradient it was mostly likely creating.
  • Significant sloughing of the new snow on the steep NE aspects. This was running on a dense surface from prior to the storm.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates