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Observation: Moffit Peak

Observation Date
2/8/2018
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Bear River West Fork » Moffit Peak SE Face
Location Name or Route
Moffit Peak-east side
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Overcast skies with light to moderate southwest winds kept the temperatures in check today.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Just a few new inches of snow can improve the riding conditions and I was finding nice shallow powder with a layer of surface hoar from the clear skies overnight. Overall, the riding and turning today was fairly decent.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Minor wind loading today along the ridge lines and only isolated cracking of shallow wind drifts. A deeper snow pack in this area, no cracking or propagation of cracks with stability tests, although still some layers with faceted sugary snow above and below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Still choosing lowered angled terrain based on the faceted layered snow pack, although snow pit tests are trending toward better stability?
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Winds were light to moderate and steady and getting into lower terrain throughout the day. Only minor cracking of fresh wind drifts along higher ridge lines.
Comments
Just a few new inches can go a long way to improve the riding conditions and smooth out old tracks.
This morning there was layer of surface hoar from clear skies overnight and really made for some nice sparkling snow. The winds today should destroy most of this layer.
I was finding the rime crust from last weekend still fairly widespread in the Whitney Basin and might be something to keep an eye as it gets buried. Right now it is just under the most recent snow from a few days back.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate