Observation Date
12/26/2015
Observer Name
Brandon D
Region
Ogden » Powder Mountain Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Powder Mountain Side Country
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Perfect blue skies with about 2" of light snow the night before. Considerably cold morning, 5 deg. Only warmed up to about 12 deg during the day, though it felt much warmer in the sun.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
20"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Tons of new fresh snow. About 16"-24" could be found.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Did a quick pit test at about 8,000' on an eastern aspect. The snow pack was about 40"-50". Found two areas of instability. First was the 2 feet of new storm snow on top of what appeared to be a melt/freeze crust. Next were about 12" of loose facets sitting directly on the ground. With a shovel shear test I was able to get the storm snow to pull away with medium effort with a Q2 shear. The next block pulled away on top of the facets with a similar Q2 shear. The CT test took only 13 hits (10 wrist, 3 elbow) to get the entire block to go. Only a Q2 shear but still scary that it broke straight to ground. The ECT took a little more enticement resulting in 24 hits (10 wrist, 10 elbow, 4 shoulder) just to get the block to collapse onto the weak facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
With the pit test, all I could get to go was the entire snowpack down to the ground. There is stability with the new storm snow, but a lot of questions as to the increasing weight upon the weak facets. The first skier may be fine, but the fifth skier may not be. It is just a matter of having the right trigger to set off a deep slab.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
We found some wind loading off the ridges and into the run-outs and gullies. High winds from the night before may have caused some pockets of instability.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,000'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
I'd still be weary about continued wind loading from the passing storm fronts along with the unpredictability of the snowpack. But I felt fairly confident on most slopes that were wind protected. The snowpack is getting better, but the danger of getting caught in an avalanche that breaks to the ground and will drag you under 4 feet of snow, cheese grating you against rocks and trees is still enough of a deterrent to be mindful of each step.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
