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Observation: Gold Basin

Observation Date
3/1/2022
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab » Gold Basin
Location Name or Route
Exxon's Folly
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very warm, calm, clear day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Mixed spring conditions with damp snow and sun crusts on solar aspects, and settled powder on shady ones.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wild to be out on such a warm spring day, at relatively low elevations, and to experience such continued widespread collapsing. I've got to think that the heat over the past few days will start to temper this problem, today was by far the warmest, but with what I observed today it seems like human triggered avalanches remain likely on all of the shady, northerly aspects, and only slightly less so on W and SE. I dug a pit and did an ECT on a W aspect at 10,100' and scored ECTP 16. I'm thinking Considerable danger for at least one more day.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The persistent weak layer of buried near surface facets is widespread W-N-SE near and below treeline, with the weakest snow hanging out on sheltered, northerly aspects. Above treeline, the distribution is more spotty due to wind events during the extended period of high pressure. I expect the warm days will take the edge off things, particularly on W and er the next day or two, but human triggered avalanches on this weak layer will remain possible for some time on northerly aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
In spite of the warm temperatures, I've seen very little evidence of loose wet avalanches, and with the continued cycle of melt freeze, the danger for this type of avalanche will continue to decrease.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments
I dug this snowpit on a relatively low elevation, westerly aspect and scored an ECTP 16 on buried near surface facets.
ECTP 19 on W aspect at 10,100'.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates