Observation: Hoyt Peak

Observation Date
1/25/2017
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak Environs
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
On and off snow with minimal accumulation. Light to moderate winds from the NW. Temps in the mid to lower teens at 9K. Clouds were breaking a little later in the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The buried surface hoar and surface facets formed last week are my biggest concern.

Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
8,500'
Slope Angle
Unknown
Comments

Traveled again in the Hoyt Peak area from about 7K to 9500 ft. Still finding a lot of sensitive, buried surface hoar in my travels. This layer is my biggest concern and I'm still not willing to push slope angles in mid elevation terrain. The problem is very spatially variable but more prevalent than not. I'm curious how much of a problem it is at high elevations in the wind zone. For me, slope angle is how I'm managing this problem. If you are traveling in terrain with slope angles greater than 32°-34° I would say the hazard is considerable. Less than those angles, moderate danger.

On the bright side, the turning is five-star right now.

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