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Observation: Wolf Creek

Observation Date
12/17/2022
Observer Name
Shaun D
Region
Uintas » Wolf Creek
Location Name or Route
Wolf Creek Pass
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Remarkably calm winds on the pass today. No visible transport and trees still dressed in white holding on to the entirety of the storm snow.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Cold Precipitation particles, blower Utah powder.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Experienced collapsing in low elevations meadows in Nobletts as well as upper elevation meadows of on the pass.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Spent time observing the layered snowpack on a NE aspect at 9500' with our Inspired Summit Sled access AIARE 1 today.
Found the November drought layer at 40-50cm from the ground with a pencil layer above.
CTH(SP)@50cm
PST 50/100END down 50cm
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Observed wind slab formation on Easterly lateral ridge from previous days moderate winds.
Comments
Our observations today were limited to low and upper elevation terrain. Southerlies and northerly aspects. All areas we traveled we experienced collapsing and the presence of the November PWL. The ony differance was overall snowpack depth and depth of the PWL.
A noteworth 5 star day today! Calm winds and crystal clear skies made for a stellar field day for our first ever Motorized/Human Power AIARE 1 course. Snow lingered in the trees tipping us off that the winds have been realtively well behaved.
Big takeaways is the PWL is very much reactive as we saw in our pit and has all the ingredients for a large and dangerous avalanche.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable