Observation Date
2/27/2016
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A few clouds this morning, mild temperatures and light winds started around mid-morning.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Still quite reasonably good snow conditions on both south and north aspects. The moderate west winds today kept the south facing slopes from getting too warm and unsupportable. On the north side of the compass dense settled powder can stiil be found.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
These were only minor red flags today. It's amazing how the winds can find what liitle snow there is available for transport and blow it around. On the high north aspects, some riders were able to crack out some shallow 8-10" wind slabs just off the ridgeline. These were manageable in size and did not pose much trouble, unless you might find yourself in very steep committing terrain like a chute or gulley.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
These minor wind slabs were pretty isolated, but there could be a few lingering tomorrow with the moderate winds from today.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Still worth a mention for persistent slab issues after last weeks Gold Hill slide. Steep shallow snowpack areas the avalanched earlier are likely places.
Comments
It's that time of season where the snow conditions allow people to go just about anywhere on a mostly supportable base.
Found these few very isolated shallow wind slabs that some riders were able to trigger on high north facing slopes. These were manageable in size and in terrain like this where the small amount of debris can fan out, not a huge problem.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
