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Observation: Brianhead Backcountry

Observation Date
2/14/2018
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Brian Head Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Brian Head Back Country - Gooseberry Point
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Socked in most of the day. Moderate wind on the ridge tops.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

10" new, HS approx 30" in sheltered areas. Matches close to the Midway Valley Snotel site which is at the base of one of the runs I skied today. Some areas had a slight density inversion in the upper 2", this may be related to the rimed forms which were falling this morning.

Snow pack is unconsolidated, I doubt that sleds would be able to do much off-road riding.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The main red flag is a weak unconsolidated snow pack. This may be more of a future red fag. In some locations it was hard to isolate the new snow, others it broke easy in pole columns but has not formed much of a slab.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Wind slabs may be a minor concern along ridge tops.

Moderate daanger.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Normal Caution for an early season-like snow pack. Lot's of booby traps.

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments

HS approx 30", mostly 2 finger density capped by storm snow. The basal 4" consist of rounding 1mm facets (photo 1 below). ECTN 30+, photo 2 below.

Photos below:

1. Weak snow, sinking to ground in places on 110 mm skis.

2. Terrain, not ready for prime time. This area sees a lot of sled traffic, right now it might be a bit soft w/o base.

3. Needles this am, this area seems to get a lot of rime and similar features.

Overall a very early season snow pack, key to skiing was a light touch.

Overall a low danger except for isolated areas of wind loaded snow along ridge tops, moderate danger on wind exposed ridge tops. The danger of hitting a buried booby trap is more of an issue.

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