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Observation: Dry Fork

Observation Date
2/13/2017
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Provo » American Fork » Dry Fork
Location Name or Route
Dry Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beautiful day, calm winds and sunshine. Air temps stayed surprisingly cool despite strong sunshine.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Hard frozen snow below 8000 feet. By 9000 feet the snow was soft and great. Even southerly aspects up high had great powder, but it was getting damp as the day warmed

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Strong sunshine was causing wet, point releases Dry sluffs and shallow slabs were easily triggered but not a major concern unless riding on slopes with bad consequences (like being above cliffs)
Comments

Both shallow slabs and point releases were possible. See both in the first photo below.

At 9000 feet on a NE aspect, we found about a foot of wet, weak snow under about a foot of powder. It should slowly freeze but it is insulated by the dry snow on top.

Things were active a low elevations. Lots of rocks and dirt tumbling down. Even spotted this fresh land slide above American Fork River/Creek about 1/8 mile above Tibble Fork Reservoir.

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