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Observation: Ant Knolls

Observation Date
2/8/2024
Observer Name
Ryan Shea
Region
Provo » Snake Creek » Ant Knolls
Location Name or Route
Ant Knolls area
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Soft storm slab failed at ECTP 18 apprx 60 cm of right side up
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Though this layer is deeply buried 120cm+ it's still there and could be triggered in shallower areas of the snowpack.
Probing on the way up this east face did seem there was signs of healing at the base where it had previously been very hollow and unsupportable
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,400'
Comments
Dug ~ 150 down into 220 cm snowpack on an east facing 27 degree slope at 9400 feet.
only the 60cm soft storm slab failed with ECTP 18, despite there being an obvious melt/freeze crust ~100 cm deep. it took force to get it to break after the test, suggesting the warm temperatures helped bonding.
The snow below (70 cm) the pit was a hard dense wet slab that appeared to be well bonded to the finger hard slab above it.
interesting structure in this particular slope that could give a false sense of security with just the storm slab failing.
I would not trust that obvious m/f crust mid snowpack and definitely watch out for that everlasting PWL deep in the snowpack
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates