Observation Date
12/30/2017
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway » Bald Mtn Pass
Location Name or Route
Bald Mt. Murdock Peak
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mild start to the day, overcast skies and moderate southwest winds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft settled snow conditions making for fairly decent riding and turning, although still quite shallow snow cover.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Weak persistent snow pack is still the main concern, although my stability tests were showing a slight increase the the snow pack adjusting and gaining some strength. But too early to trust this tricky and complex snow set up.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The weak sugary snow pack is still a big concern and will take some time to heal and adjust.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Moderate and gusty southwest winds today were finding enough snow to blow around and create some fresh shallow wind slabs and mainly on north facing slopes.
Comments
The upper elevation terrain around Hayden and Bald Mt. Pass is still quite thin and rocky for the end of December.
Third photo is of the south side of Bald Mt. and pretty amazing you can still notice the summer trail.
A little deeper snow pack around the Bald Mt. area, up to three feet in depth, but still weak, sugary and a considerable avalanche hazard.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
