Observation Date
2/18/2014
Observer Name
Konigsberg/ Christiansen
Region
Uintas » Nobletts » Wolf Creek Pass
Location Name or Route
Wolf Creek Pass
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
All aspects dense loose with some wind crusts exposed. Southerly aspects has not become wet yet with wind and cloud keeping things cool at upper els.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No cracking or collapsing. Stayed off all steeper slopes. Snowmobilers testing steeper slopes in area with no results.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Didn't dig around much as we stayed on benign slopes. One pit on southerly aspect at 9700ft showed ECTP 12 SP at 35cms from ground. Consistent results on same layer. HS = 105cms.
Strong bridging over weak snow with wind packed snow up to pencil hardness. Ski pen. only 3-4cms.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Some snow transport on to slopes lee to the southerly winds. Wind slab danger minimal in this area, concern would be for wind slab triggering larger avalanche.
Comments
A few bad photos of some avalanches in the area. 1st- Red Creek Mountain, NE, 10600ft, looks big. 2nd- Above Mill Hollow Res. E facing, 9600ft., 3rd- Wolf Creek Peak E facing, 9950 ft. (hard to make out filled in shallow crown below cornice and than deeper where it stepped down mid slope)
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
