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Observation: North Slope Environs

Observation Date
1/2/2024
Observer Name
Manship, Park, & Crow
Region
Uintas » North Slope Environs
Location Name or Route
Northern Uintas
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Very mild weather. Cool in the shade and pleasant in the sun with little to no wind even at high elevations.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Most lower elevations have a crust of some sort. At mid and upper elevations a sun crust exists on SW-SE. Northerly aspects consist of very weak faceted snow with developed surface hoar. These areas make for great skiing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor structure still exists on aspects harboring November snow. In areas that are a bit deeper (>70cm) the slab from the early December storm is still present with weaker snow underneath. In thinner areas a lot of the slab has faceted away.
Comments
The main avalanche problem for today was dry loose avalanches in steeper terrain that has a very weak snow surface. Travel in steeper northerly terrain can be difficult due the faceted snow, following old animal tracks is advised.
Photos below:
1 and 2: Surface hoar from upper elevation north facing slopes.
3: Coverage of thinner rocky terrain, mid elevation, north facing
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates