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Observation Date
12/10/2012
Observer Name
Bruce Tremper
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Peak 10,420
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Very windy with strong west winds combined with snow squalls
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow was quite good in wind sheltered areas but on upper elevation wind exposed slopes, there was lots of wind damage from strong west winds.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The main problem is recent wind deposits that are overloading weak faceted snow that formed in November that is buried about a foot deep in most areas (before it was wind loaded).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The strong west winds combined with new snow are depositing snow onto lee terrain--mainly on upper elevation, east facing slopes near ridges but the wind was blowing fairly hard in the canyon bottoms as well. As usual, avoid any steep slopes with recent wind deposits. Clues to instability will be smooth, rounded snow that often cracks and feels and sounds hollow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
These wind slabs are also overloading faceted snow beneath an ice crust between about 8,500' and about 9,500'. When I got to higher elevations, the ice crust became much thinner and the faceted snow beneath the crust was not as reactive. So the main problem seems to be in an elevation band from about 8,500' to about 9,500' on slopes with a recent load of wind deposited snow. On slopes without a fresh wind drift, the snow seems to be staying in place fairly well. Bottom line: Considerable danger on steep, recently wind loaded slopes, which you will find mostly on upper elevation, slopes facing the east half of the compass.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
11°
Video
Coordinates