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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/14/2023
Observer Name
Craig Gordon
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Stunning day on the eastern front with clear skies, light winds, and warm temps.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Full gamut of snow surfaces, from hot pow (in the image above) on the suny's to recycled "loud" pow on the shady's. However, the judges have voted and it looks like shallow, creamy snow on the north half of the compass is the clear winner.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
A got a few isolated collapses and granted, the snowpack is weak, but it's broken up with terrain irregularities and overall lack of depth.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Dug this pit on a NW facing slope at 9,600'... barely in the wind zone. Even though the results yielded nice propagation, I think it's a small sample size of the big picture as our pack is thin and so much of our terrain is broken up by terrain features and roughness.
Comments
Sunny slopes are thin and brushy.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low