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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/29/2016
Observer Name
C Brown
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Beautiful day in the mountains, inverted temps in the morning but got quite warm up in the mountains. The sun felt unusally strong for this time of year. Pretty calm winds, a touch of light winds through the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Quite a variety of snow conditions today. Some of the snow that had a slight wind effect/slab had recrystalized overnight with the cold clear skies, some still had a very skiable wind crust on top. Plenty of wind effected snow still out there that would be pretty poor skiing. Later in the day the South's were starting to pick up some heat with small roller balls forming. Would expect mid and lower elevation solar aspects to have a suncrust tomorrow.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Found one of the wind slabs out there today. Took one run in a NNE facing chute which did not have a slab. Took a second run right next door where up high in the run under the cornice found a 1F-/4F+ small pocket of slab. When attempting to cut, it broke out roughly a 20'X20'X18" WS that ran into the soft snow below, entraining the snow and running the full length of the line. Basically a small wind slab that triggered a small loose snow avalanche. Manageable problem for the right user, but if the wind slab had broken above a skier it could have taken them off their feet and for a ride The bed surface appeared to be about a 12" 4F slab over about 12" of weak faceted snow.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Still would be skeptical of high elevation steep rocky North"s that harbor old, and/or weak snow on the ground. Low probability, high consequence.

Comments

Picture of the run after the small avalanche, and a poor picture of the crown with the cornice above.

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