Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date

2/25/2014

Observer Name

Ted Scroggin

Region

Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin

Location Name or Route

Whitney Basin-Moffit Peak,Double Hill,Cherry Hill

Weather

Sky

Broken

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Just a few clouds this morning with gusty winds at times and overcast skies around mid-afternoon.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

I was finding some nice settled dense powder on the shady aspects today, with the south facing slopes at higher elevations having a thin melt freeze crust that did soften early in the day. The riding and turning conditions are quite good right now at the mid and higher elevations.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Only a minor red flag today in my travels, there was some gusty west winds at times that was finding just enough snow to blow around and form some shallow soft wind slabs along the higher ridge lines. The places I poked around today still have some fairly weak snow near the bottom of the snow pack, but the recent storms have added to the snow depth and my snow stability tests were indicating some gradual strengthening of the faceted snow.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

I did not see or hear of any recent avalanche activity on the north slope, but cannot forget about the deep slab issue that has been so active throughout the western Uintas. Many slopes that I have been observing through the winter have not avalanched and would still be very cautious in areas that have a thinner snow pack.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Man you cannot never discount the winds in the Uintas, I was finding some minor wind drifts developing today mostly on north through east facing slopes. Nothing that I stomped on today was overly sensitive, but I was able to get some fresh small cornices to break below my skis with little effort. These were only 8-10" deep and they did not result in any avalanches as they tumbled down the slope.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Considerable

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Considerable

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