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Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/17/2021
Observer Name
Kikkert
Region
Uintas » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Light snowfall most the day, not adding up to much. Winds at mid elevations (where we were) were mostly light but gusty. Winds remained elevated at upper elevations. Stayed pretty cold.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Around 3 feet of snow on the ground, with most of that having come in the past week.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Much of the mid-elevations had no old snow prior to these last round of storms. However, where there was old snow, mainly just north facing from 9500 and above, the snowpack lets you know it. Lots of collapsing and cracking.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
As mentioned above, where the poor structure exists, you can easily collapse the slope. We were mostly messing around on lower angle slopes and small steep test slopes. Slab would crack and try to move on even the lower angle slopes, tilt the slope up a bit and you could get avalanches. We got one pocket to trigger remotely (see photo below).
Photo shows small avalanche triggered upon approaching the slope. Failed on very large grain facets near the ground. The same collapse resulted in cracking out of adjacent slopes that failed but couldn't slide due to slope angle.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable