Observation Date
12/28/2017
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Warm, calm day in the mountains, 2c at 8,600'. Very light wind noticable on ridgeline at 9,800'. Very few clouds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Settled powder on north facing slopes. Patchy wind crust here and there.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Saw evidence of natural avalanches that probably happened during the storm. A couple human triggered avalanches more recent than the end of the storm. Big takeaway today was the snow pack structure and how weak it is. Although our snow pit and tests showed unstable snow cutting and stomping on a test slope did not produce an avalanche.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Interesting snow pack structure with the major weakness noted mid pack and not on the ground. The basal facets appeared to be linked up and somewhat frozen together, most likely from a rain event in the fall after the first Sept storm. A very weak faceted layer above a melt freeze crust appears to be the PWL of concern.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Observed some stubborn wind slab right off the ridge line that I would think is becoming less reactive.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
40°
The weak snowpack is showing a persistent slab problem, and although it may not appear touchy and reactive this unpredictable problem could catch you off guard right when you're starting to feel good about the slope and will have high consequences especially with the low snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
