Observation Date
2/10/2024
Observer Name
Wessler
Region
Uintas » Ridge Yurt
Location Name or Route
Ridge Yurt
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Woke up to perfectly clear skies and temps in the single digits. Variable cloud cover throughout the daytime hours with very light snow showers on and off. No additional measurable accumulation during the day. Light winds all around, no more than 5 miles an hour on exposed terrain. High temp around 16F.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
HS 80cm / HST 28cm / HN24 15cm based on best guess from change in density and crystal type. Bottom 25 cm starting to see rounding and building some strength, 25 to 35 cm much weaker facet layer, 2-4mm with some larger chains. Consolidated old snow above this, providing a reasonable slab for propagation, with ECTP6 failing on the facet layer 25mm off the ground/55cm down from the top. Collapsing/long running rolling thunder walking around the meadow adjacent to pit.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
While near surface facets are beginning to heal/round and bond into a stronger layer, another, weaker layer of faceted snow just above that continues to provide a significant weak layer. A 40cm slab of consolidated old snow between the facet layer and new snow above allowed for lots of rolling thunder and propagation in pit tests.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
5°
Comments
Had an excellent day skiing FM100 easy listening powder on low angle mini golf slopes adjacent to the yurt. Snow surface generally supportable, keeping us off the deadfall lurking just below the shallow snowpack. Southerly slopes exhibiting slight zipper crust by the end of the day, after getting cooked throughout the afternoon. Hard to find a balance and the ideal line between wanting to stay off due north, and shallow south facing snow, but it's out there.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
