Observation: Wolf Creek Pass

Observation Date

11/18/2012

Observer Name

Jimmy Tart

Region

Uintas

Location Name or Route

Wolf Creek Pass

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Wind Direction

Southeast

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Not much interesting weather-wise, other than a band of graupel passing through about 3pm.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Density

High

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

The dense snow on e/se slopes was quite soggy and dense enough that the foot that was on the ground made for a supportable surface. North facing slopes had above a meter of similar quality snow. Ski penetration was only a couple inches.

Red Flags

Collapsing

Red Flags Comments

North facing ridge lines had corniced up from recent snowfall. Cracking would occur at maybe Q2, but with poor propagation. Just off ridgeline we got big collapsing from the old layer just off the ground. No cracking or movement ( probably due to shallow slope angle ) but whomping nonetheless. Quick pits showed a pretty upside down snowpack. Lower down the snowpack was sitting on a lot of facets and not very supportive vegetation. What is the symbol for weeds anyway?

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Rotten at surface with a relatively thin, dense snowpack on top.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

E/SE slopes had a crummy little crusty layer about halfway down that collapsed at Ct 20 but maybe Q3. Very little weight on top of it though, so maybe that can heal with the coming nice weather.

Comments

All in all, nice skiing. Unsurprisingly, the danger rating seems accurate.

Observation: Wolf Creek Pass

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