Observation Date
12/26/2016
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak Environs
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear skies in the morning with skies becoming broken by early afternoon. Skies cleared again by the end of the day. Temps in the single digits to low teens.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Observed surface faceting which should continue with tonight's cold temps.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
31°

I traveled from 7K to about 9500 feet on the north half of the compass. I traveled in mid elevation sheltered terrain looking for good skiing so I didn't get onto the high ridges that saw the brunt of the wind that accompanied this last storm.

Still quite brushy at lower elevations.

My snowpit tests identified several weak interfaces within the snowpack. Column tests failed with medium effort on all four weak layers with the old snow/new snow interface failing first and each layer under that failing with gradually more effort. Shear qualities were Q2 and Q3 except the interface at 50cm up, which was Q1 but not releasing with much energy. I got no propagation on my extended column tests.

Had I been in steeper terrain that saw more wind and snow the snowpack structure would have raised a red flag.

I would say the danger was moderate where I traveled, slowly trending to a more stable snowpack.

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