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Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
3/13/2015
Observer Name
Bill Hunt
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin backcountry
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Another bluebird day, breezy up high.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Travel was confined to north-facing, 9400' to 8600' chutes and trees, with 30 to 45 degree slope angles. There was a rollerball cycle, apparently yesterday afternoon, that I had not seen earlier this week. As you might expect with the warm temps, the conditions are not quite as good as earlier in the week, with a surface crust still noticeable at 11AM, but still good turning conditions around noon to 1:30 PM. After 1:30, booting a ridge in northfacing trees was becoming more unconsolidated, and it seemed wise to move back in area, or call it a day.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
It could be a fairly narrow window on sunhit exposures, to let the crusts soften enough, but not let it get too sloppy.
Comments
The fresh couple inches, apparently from Wednesday night, generated small pointsource rollerballs that propagated widely, but stayed confined to those top couple inches, for the most part. A "rollerball/crust" was present thoughout this area, which was not there a couple days ago. Once it softened it was still decent turning. These are northfacing, 9200 to 9000' elevations. This time of year with the higher sun angles, the sun sneaks on to most of the northfacing slopes too.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate