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Observation: Mt Nebo

Observation Date
1/19/2015
Observer Name
Darce Trotter
Region
Provo » Mt Nebo
Location Name or Route
Head of Mona Pole Canyon, just north of Mt Nebo
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Another warm day, temps have settled out snow, massive wind damage evident on Mt Nebo, North Peak, Bald Mountain, and all high exposed terrain, dirt showing along with rocks on ridgetops, dirt blown around on top of pack is some E slopes
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Every type of snow surface you can imagine from sastrugi, hard slab, breakable wind and sun crusts, and creamy settled snow in the sheltered N facing trees. Most of this terrain is exposed and open

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
no activity noted today, could see some old debris piles off summit ridge of Mt Nebo, NE facing extreme terrain, cornices built along highest ridgelines
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

pretty quiet pack, tired looking, but you could still find a pocket or two that could collapse, thinner pack areas, but just about every aspect and slope has been center-punched by machines, even in areas I did not think they could get. Snow is supportable and even with wind crusts, climb what you want.

Avalanche Problem #2
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

shallow areas exist in this terrain much like the Skyline, one minute you are on a wind slab, next 6" of rotten snow, then thin to thick wind slab, so while thicker areas hold strong snowpack, weak snow still exists, and when buried could be trigger.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments

Wind damage E facing North Peak

Snowmobile activity in open NE, E, SE facing bowls

Pack very similar to what I have been watching on Skyline/Wasatch Plateau

Video

ECT test

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