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Observation: Bald Mountain

Observation Date
2/7/2016
Observer Name
P Diegel
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway » Bald Mountain
Location Name or Route
Mirror Lake Highway to Mirror Lake
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Surface snow in sheltered areas was not yet showing signs of surface hoar and was generally loose and unconsolidated. Lots of evidence of wind transport on the ridgelines - plumes, sculpting, cornices, drifts forming across the road on Bald Mtn pass.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Looked carefully for signs of recent avalanche activity and saw none but major wind deposits were obvious.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Pockets of wind deposited snow on E & NE slopes seem very likely

Comments

Snow at about 10k ft near Mirror Lake on a sheltered gentle NW slope was about 150 cm deep, 1 to 4 finger hardness except for about 30 cm well preserved facets at the ground. Potential of a wind slab stepping down the ground? Seems unlikely but with terrible consequences.

Wind activity - red flag

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