Get Your Ticket to the 32nd Annual Backcountry Benefit on September 11th! Support Forecasting, Awareness, and Education
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation Date
11/20/2012
Observer Name
Kobernik
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Alta to Cardiff, out to Big CC
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Some annoying south winds during the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Unfortunately, the winds put an end to the lovely riding conditions we've had over the last few days. I did not note and significant loading that was occurring where a person might get something to release.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,200'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments
I found the basal facets to be damp at 10200'. They still are weaker than the snow layer that comprises the mid pack. The only red flag that I can come up with is that you can still get propagation in some shear tests if you beat on the column hard enough.
Two ECTs were performed in the video below. One was Cardiff Peak, N, 10200'. One was Cardiac Bowl, N, 10600'.
Video
I found the snowpack to be quite stable today. I ventured into higher elevation north facing terrain to investigate basal facets. Aside from one ECT propagating, I found nothing to make me concerned about traveling on any of the upper elevation north facing slopes. At this point, I would say we are off to a good start.
Coordinates