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Observation: Sunset

Observation Date
1/4/2018
Observer Name
Glew
Region
Provo » Snake Creek » Sunset
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek
Weather
Weather Comments
Warm calm day in the mountains with some sun and cloud cover.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Thought I would find some soft untracked old snow on the east side of Sunset Peak going into Snake Creek but I was wrong. Found a mixed bag of soft snow and wind crusts even in the protected trees. Surprising.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I gathered that the slab had lost strength so I decided to go check it out. I could not find a slab on the east side of Sunset Peak. It seems like the avalanche problem is becoming less of an issue in protected areas. I would assume you could still potentially trigger something in more exposed northerly facing terrain. I avoided the upper reaches on the north side of Sunset peak for this reason as well as the skiing looked rather horrendous.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate