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Observation: Hoyt Peak

Observation Date
1/24/2017
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
On and off light snowfall but no accumulation. Temps in the mid teens at 9K.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

18" settled storm snow since Saturday.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
A lot of collapsing and audible whoopfs today. The storm slab sitting on the previous storm's snow that preserved surface hoar and near surface facets was the reason I checked poor snowpack structure.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The buried and preserved surface hoar and near surface facets were very sensitive in the area we traveled. There are deeper weak layers below this but they are not as sensitive.

Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments

Extended Column Test Shear Quality and Buried Preserved Surface Hoar.

Traveled the north half of the compass up to about 9K. Kept to terrain 30 degrees and under.

Snowpit tests reflected easy to moderate effort to fail with clean and energetic shears on the preserved surface facets formed during last weeks cold, dry spell. I was finding a lot of preserved surface hoar in our travels today.

I would say the danger was considerable today where we traveled but easily high if you were traveling in terrain steeper than 32°. Considerable danger tomorrow.

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