Observation Date
1/7/2017
Observer Name
Travis Nauman
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Corkscrew
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Overcast most of day. Very light winds except right on summit. 20 to 25 degrees. Couple light snow squalls late in day, very small flakes.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow above 9500 on NW faces was really nice. There were some areas were the tree rime from the last storm had fallen onto the snow and made almost a crust. There were some shallower areas (<60cm) on the way up where depth hoar is present, something to be aware of, still not a deep enough snowpack to ignore depth hoar completely. The deeper areas were pretty solid, the snowpack is mostly right side up with a really solid foundation at depths. There has been a big gradient in snowfall between 9000 and 10000 feet. Once we got above about 9800, the snow depth seemed much more solid sans wind effects. Up high out of wind impacted areas, the snow was surprisingly stable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
We had one collapse in a small open patch at about 10500 feet on a NW aspect ~32 degree slope.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The wind has been busy up high. There are still plenty of loaded areas.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
We still are seeing weak faceted and graupel layers at mid depths on W N and E aspects, particularly north faces.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,800'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
We dug a pit in an open area with some apparent wind loading. Profile was really stable and right side up except for one faceted layer at 70 cm. Could not get it to fail on compression test.
Nothing like canyon country under snow!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
