Observation Date
1/15/2013
Observer Name
Ben
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Little Water Peak
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
We began the day in calm clear great weather, the peak became socked in and windy, wind loading was occurring
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
8 inches of creamy, on a hard sun-baked crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Everything was nice and stable until we got to the ridge and the winds were really doing a number above 9500'.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind will be putting a hurt on steep leeward slopes, this snow seemed to really pack into nice slabs. Was quite surprised by the collapsing along the ridge.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The non wind effected snow seemed to be bonding well.
Comments
Great day to be in the mountains. There was certainly more snow at the lower ends of the mountain than up high and the south faces had quite a melt/freeze crust under a coating of cream. The wind and cold on the ridge were significant.
