Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
3/26/2016
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
East of Hells Kitchen
Weather
Sky
Clear
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments

About 3-4 inches of new snow overnight on top of 10-12 inches of new snow from Tuesday/Wednesday. By the afternoon, south aspects had gotten wet. Air temps stayed cold and snow did not become so wet that it became unstable. We did not see any wet loose avalanches.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,800'
Slope Angle
29°
Comments

Photo below shows new snow, ice crust, snow from mid week, and another ice crust. This photo was taken on a south aspect at about 10,600 feet. Tomorrow (Sunday) the new 3-4 inches of new snow will easily get wet and slide on the ice crust.

Sidenote - I found some facets near the ice crust 3-4 inches deep in one location and none others. Not a major concern. These facets should be cooked on Sunday by the sun and will not become a problem.

The only avalanche activity we saw is in this photo - the 3-4 inches of new snow sliding on either an ice crust or a hard, wind blown surface.

I dug in this location and was surprised to hit ground so quickly. This demonstrates how big, weak facets still survive on northerly aspects where the snow is thin. I suspect there are many places like this in the Uintas - very rocky with a thin snowpack. This layering is not widespread but a few pockets could avalanche at the ground if we got a major load like 2+ feet of new snow overnight.

Photo shows pit location where I found very thin snow.

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