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Observation: Bountiful Peak

Observation Date
2/22/2024
Observer Name
Staples & Trenbeath
Region
Ogden » Bountiful mountains » Bountiful Peak
Location Name or Route
Bountiful Peak
Weather
Weather Comments
Sun then heavy snow then sun again
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Hard to tell how much of the powder was new but it felt about a foot deep. The snow was generally warm and somewhat dense.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There are some very big cornices on Bountiful peak. I wonder if strong sunshine and warm temps the next few days will cause these giants to break and crash downhill
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
In many of our snowpits we couldn't find a valentines layer that would break in tests. SE facing slopes had a crust about 2.5 feet deep with some facets-ish under it that snapped across in an ECT after 26 hits.
Comments
Generally deep and stable snow with the Farmington SNOTEL showing 25" SWE.. We mostly rode between 7400 and 8800 feet and felt comfortable underneath big avalanche paths and on short steep slopes.
I suspect there was a slope somewhere that we could have triggered. In one of our tests, the ECT snapped across after 22 taps in a layer of new snow.
Overall we were conservative because I don't like surprises. With another field day to dig more, I think we would have felt pretty good getting onto bigger slopes. Another day would also mean 24 more hours for all the new snow to settle and bond.
We didn't see any avalanches, didn't experience any shooting cracks, and didn't experience any collapsing, and we covered a lot of ground.
Wet snow - The snow was noticeably damp below 7000'. Lots of small roller balls on south aspects below this elevation on our way out at about 2pm.
Photo 1 - mostly strong stable snow on ENE aspect, ECTN26
Photo 2 - still not bad but SE facing with the second ECTP on facets below the Valentines crust
Photo 3 - Eric taking in a view he hasn't seen for over 20+ years since he was a kid growing up in this area.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates