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Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
3/19/2016
Observer Name
Bill Brandt
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Much warmer today than yesterday.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Soft cold snow on north facing slopes about 4-5 inches deep. This sat on a firm underlying crust. Made for a slippery skin track necessitating ski crampons on steeper slopes. Hard frozen surface on other aspects which softened with sun and increasing temps later in the day.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Expected to see more wet slide activity as things warmed. Saw a wet slide on an east facing slope which was fairly small. Surprised by 4 moderate sized dry sluffs on steep north facing terrain which ran 100-200 yards. These might have been able to knock you down, but not bury you. Snow was damp in the shade by afternoon.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Dry snow ran on buried melt freeze crust. Wind slabs were not reactive today.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Expect this to be more of a problem as things warm up tomorrow.

Picture of one of four sluffs in same chute.

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