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Observation: Dean Lake

Observation Date
3/14/2021
Observer Name
UAC-Backcountry Inst.-Utah Snowmobile
Region
Uintas » Dean Lake
Location Name or Route
SW of Dean Lake
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Our route today took us up the Mirror Lake highway then to the SW of Reid's Peak and Bald mountain. Winds were from the E NE and blowing strong with big gusts and swirling snow. Over much of out route you could see broken tree branches (see pic below) littering the snow from the long, sustained, high winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow totals was roughly 6 to 10". In exposed areas a wind crust had formed with lots of drifting around trees and rocks. In sheltered south and west facing areas the snow was loose, deeper and the riding was favorable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Howling winds have created wind drifted (wind loading) snow over most of the area. We did discover via a test pit and a shovel tilt test that the new snow and old snow interface could be reactive to a trigger creating avalanches on wind loaded steep terrain. See viddy below.
Snow Profile
Aspect
South
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
21°
Comments
The south facing slopes are littered with ice crust layers, dense snow and facets. The most concerning layer is the new snow on old crust.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates