Observation: Payson Canyon

Observation Date
12/26/2013
Observer Name
Darce Trotter
Region
Provo » Payson Canyon
Location Name or Route
Payson Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
calm and warm above any inversion
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

widespread weak 1/2" crust, suncrust on east through south, but seemed to be everywhere, could be from riming event, but this location was a little below in elevation, most likely temp related. Less than 2' of snow at this elevation, weak and will not support your weight on foot, I was not on skis today, was up checking out a snowmobile and just getting a look around. Snowpack about the same depth at 9500' as on the Skyline, but did not get out off packed trails because I would sink in hip deep and too lazy to wallow out to a useful area to dig snowpit. In my travels today I was on the East side of the higher terrain and wind damage apparent but did not get a good look at N through W terrain, did not see any recent activity.

would rate the upper elevation at moderate today, but lower elevation was low as you would expect

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
overall weak pack just waiting for a load, but still a lot of brush poking through at lower elevations
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

just waiting for a load at this elevation

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,500'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments

snow pit and discussion

Video

Wind damage on Nebo, that snow had to go somewhere

widespread crust

sparse coverage at 8500'

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates