Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/9/2020
Observer Name
Kikkert
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Wind slabs were surprisingly isolated, soft, and unconnected given yesterday's winds. In fact did not find any wind slabs at all in a lot of exposed terrain that I considered suspect. Where we did find wind slabs they were soft and mostly 6" deep. We did manage to get one larger pocket, 1.5-2' deep, but only 20' wide and soft. See photos below. Would expect more of the same tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Went looking around for further evidence of the Christmas facet/crust combo and did not find it. Found in yesterday on a southwest aspect but did not find it today on east-southeast. Good part is its not buried very deeply so its easy to dig down with your hand and look for it. Will continue to assess distribution of this weak layer. Regarding other buried persistent weak layers, havent seen activity on them in nearly a month, but will continue to monitor during the next week as we add weight to the snowpack.
Comments
Photos show the largest wind pocket we could find. East-northeast facing slope at 10,300' that loads from all westerly wind directions and has a large fetch.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate