Observation: Sundance backcountry

Observation Date
3/12/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Covington
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » North Fork Provo R. » Sundance backcountry
Location Name or Route
Sundance periphery
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Enough cloud cover and wind helped keep wet activity at bay.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem #1 Comments

Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,000'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments

Looking for wet slab potential in the Provo mountains - free water and snow structure key for this. Found suitable isothermal structure and noted areas prone for pooling with kool-aid adjacent to 2/18 dust layer at 8000' ENE and in suspect facets a few inches below dust layer at 8500' ENE. Pooling also noted in basal weaknesses. See videos below.

Very weak facets sandwiched between the Feb 18th dust layer/crust and above the old mid-pack crust from Jan 8/9 as noted in profile.

Will need to keep an eye on cloud cover, overnight temps and other indicators that lend a hand for free water in the snowpack.

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