Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date

12/18/2015

Observer Name

Kory

Region

Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry

Location Name or Route

Snowbasin Ridge Line

Weather

Sky

Few

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

As always the wind was blowing in the Ogden Mountains. Even with the new rime crust I was seeing wind trasported snow. Warm conditions but I do not think the sun will be out long enough for any wet activity today but maybe tommorrow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Rime Crust. The great skiing we had all week is gone. I hope you got it while it was good. Today was a good day to catch up on the weeks work because of the poor riding conditions. This rime crust is wide spread. On all aspects and elevations in the Ogden mountains. With the warming temps and strong sun it may go away on south aspects at lower elevation.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Cracking

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

5 out of 7 today. Once again no movement on a persistant slab in the Ogden Mountains. I did see 4 Natural wind slab avalanches in higher terrain that is always suspect to loading in the Ogden Mounains. One of the slides was D2, Very Hard wind slab about 2.5 ft deep.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Last nights wind and even with the rime today we are seeing lots of wind loading. Appears to be sliding on a density change from the Wednesday dec 16th night storm to the Thursday dec 17 night storm. Where I was seeing the easy sheer in ECT and Shovel Tilt. Decreasing danger because these have sat now for over 24 hours.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

I honestly think this could be the way to pull out some naturals in the Ogden Mountains tomorrow with the warming temps and poor structure.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

8,600'

Slope Angle

20°

Comments

I would also say that the persistent slab is my main concern because it is the loaded gun that we can not seem to find the trigger for. It is only time till someone finds the right spot, or an explosive in the right spot, or a step down from a wind slab. My guess would also be on a N-NE aspect that is where I have seen the most results in Pits and the most dry facets.

According to all the locals on the northern side of the Ogden Valley there is still not enough snow to really ski at all in the Ben Lomond/Cutler areas. I drove up to Monte today and it was packed house (well for a Friday in December) much better snow cover than a week ago. Maybe after next week we will finally have something to work with in the Ogden Mountains.