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Observation: Erickson Basin

Observation Date
1/13/2018
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Smith-Moorehouse » Erickson Basin
Location Name or Route
Erickson Basin
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Scattered clouds all day. The wind picked up out of the NW around 3PM.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
  • There was a significant rain crust under the new snow below 8600'.
  • Overall, a very faceted snowpack
  • ​Significant cracking and collapsing at all elevations

Danger in the low angle terrain we skied was considerable, but on steeper terrain, it definitely would have been High. In areas we skied twice, we witnessed some significant cracks from the first descent. Had the slope angle been steeper, these most likely would have slide.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Significant cracking and collapsing at all elevations. We had this occur both on initial ascents and also on 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th tracks up.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

See the video, a very faceted snowpack that with a trigger point and moderately steep slope would easily be able to be triggered. We observed lots of natural slides in Erickson Basin.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
22°
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable