Observation: Duchesne Ridge

Observation Date

12/4/2016

Observer Name

Doug Geraghty

Region

Uintas » Nobletts » Duchesne Ridge

Location Name or Route

Wolf Creek/Duchesne Ridgeline/Sheep Peak

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

Calm winds, blue bird skies, light clouds making for a great morning around 9:30/10:00am Around 1:00pm winds picking up to 10/15mph out of the southwest, overcast skies, temps dropping no precipitation Around 2:30pm Ridge Line winds up at steady 15mph gusting to 20/30mph out of southwest, over cast skies, colder temps, no precipitation

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

18"

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow was shallow with good bonding through the core. Skiing wasn't deep but had a more creamy like riding on top of it. No stuffing noticed. Light and dry on the top surface. We dug a pit at 10,016ft NE facing just under sheep peak in the Shingle mill area on a 25 degree slope. Snow depth measuring 18.5inches. consistent density throughout. Some faceting on the ground. Did a quick isolated column test revealing a fracture break at 24 with clean shearing. Weak layer that broke was 4inches from the ground. Skied down the NE face 25 degree at pit with break over into about 35degree angle felt solid underneath would just stay away from areas near rockier terrain as you might get bitten by the rock sharks. Keep in meadow hill areas with good coverage still shallow snow mostly southern faces along the ridge line.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Red Flags Comments

Wind increasing on higher exposed ridges from the Southwest would just be cautious of wind loading on the the higher northern faces for this next system.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

10,000'

Slope Angle

25°