Observation: Lone Peak

Observation Date
3/3/2016
Observer Name
Trenbeath, Groves
Region
Salt Lake » Lone Peak
Location Name or Route
Lone Peak South Face
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Nice day in the mountains with thin high cloud cover and occassional sun. Moderate SW winds up high, light down low.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

I was on my way back down to Moab when I noticed that the south face of Lone Peak was looking prime for good corn conditions prompting me to turn around and stay for another day. With the coming change in weather, this report may not do anyone any good, but conditions were pretty much perfect from the summit down to the Second Hamongog. The light dusting that fell on Tuesday night seamlessly blended in with the old snow surface once things began to soften. The light cloud cover and breeze kept things from heating up too fast and we descended a little after noon.

If the sun comes out on Friday it could be good for another day.

Snow line is down to the first Hamongog but it's pretty thin up to the Second.

Pete Groves skinning up with perfect corn under foot.

And going down, with perfect corn underfoot.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Skier triggered, loose wet sluffs were observed high on the west face of Big Horn Peak. Triggered by a high traverse, most likely made late in the day, they started as point releases but fanned out, went over cliffs, and eventually accumulated a significant amount of snow. They looked to be a few days old but confirmed the potential danger for wet slide activity during this warm period of high pressure.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low