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Observation Date
11/13/2012
Observer Name
Robbins
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Up Flagstaff, down the Emmas
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The start to a beautiful bluebird day in the Wasatch... not a cloud in the sky and a very gentle breeze present on the highest ridge lines.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft, settled snow on the north and a breakable sun crust on the south. I was hoping that there would be less of a crust on the SE aspects for the descent to the highway, which proved to be true above about 9000 feet. Also, the lower angle south-facing slopes also held soft snow (angle of incidence to the sun). Some light windloading present along the ridgelines, although not a whole lot of snow has been moved around. There's still plenty available for transport if the winds do kick up at some point.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No collapsing noted while walking the ridge above Days Fork.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We should all study pictures from early November... at least if you want to ski N-facing above 9500 feet. It should be pretty clear as to where the persistent slabs exist. Considerable danger here, and Low all other places.