Observation Date
12/5/2014
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Nice day with mild temperatures, light winds and surprisingly nice snow in the higher elevations around Whitney Basin.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Still thin and rocky at low and mid-elevations, but above about 9,800', the snow conditions are quite good, but still on the thin side. The warm temperatures have given the snowpack some body and supportability although the coverage is only about 18-20" around the higher terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Only minor red flags observed in my travels today. The snowpack above 9,800' on the shady aspects has some weak faceted snow near the ground with a 4F to 1F slab above it. In my snow pit tests the weak faceted snow near the ground is not as weak as it typically can be early season, the warm temperatures have likely helped to settle and slow down the faceting? A few very minor wind slabs that would crack out with a persons weight, but no real issues with these mainly along the higher ridge lines.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The snowpack structure is somewhat a red flag, but the mild weather has helped to settle and hopefully strengthen the pack. None of my snow pit tests were too alarming even given the early season.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
A few shallow wind slabs were observed along the higher ridge lines on slopes facing north through northeast. These would crack under the weight of a rider and only presented a small hazard.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
1. The riding is still limited to roads and trails and a few meadows that are free of hazards. 2. In upper Whitney Basin the snow depth is about 18-20" and there is some supportable riding, but there are rocks and stumps to watch-out for.
1. Even in the higher elevations, the snow pack is thin and a small slide would take a person through some nasty rocks and rough terrain. 2. A few minor wind slabs up high that only involved the surface snow once they cracked-out under the weight of a person.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
