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Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
4/11/2013
Observer Name
Bill Hunt
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin Backcountry
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Weather Comments
An occasional trace of snow in the upper elevations. Cloudy, but calm while I was out.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
At 9400' to 9200' on N to NW aspects the wind hammered snowpack was mostly scoured down to crust, with a couple inches of dense snow. Cutting produced nothing at these elevations; mostly crusts to deal with. There was less snow than I expected. At 9000' there was more accumulation, ok turning on dense snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
At 9000' to 8700' on N aspects, in slightly more sheltered areas there were pockets of 12" to 14" deep dense wind affected snow, which made for decent turning. Cuts did not produce any cracking, but harder windslab seemed like a slight possibility, since that can be unresponsive to cuts, and unpredictable. I opted for a ridge exit boot.
Comments
Melt-freeze crust with new dense wind-affected snow settled in below a bulge. North facing, around 9000'.