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Observation: Smith-Moorehouse

Observation Date
2/5/2017
Observer Name
Eric Ramirez
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Smith-Moorehouse
Location Name or Route
Smith and Morehouse
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
clear skies, sunny, warming quickly
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Skinning up we found a sun crust, we weren't breaking through easily. In the shady spots we found much softer snow. We decided to dig a pit after a couple switchbacks up what had become a moderately open section of slope, bordered by thicker conifers, aspens, and scrub oak which made for tricky climbing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,100'
Slope Angle
38°
Comments
We broke through this snow by digging a pit for CT; East 83 degree aspect, slope at 38 degree incline, 8050 feet, 9:50am. Pit depth :120cm 30x30cm column compression test yield, CT10 failure on Q1 planar surface, 35cm down. block came off with energy. Unsure what a propagation test would have yielded. I expect more activity as a result of solar warming this afternoon. Maybe some natural slides in this and similar aspects. Separating the snow above the pit with the shovel blade to fill our hole, the snow slid on the same plane as our CT failure with great ease on its own. There was no obvious collapse in our test, just a release. Weak layer was 1 or 1.5 mm deep of faceting on what appeared to be a former sun crust.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates