Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Mt Holly

Observation Date
1/27/2018
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Tushers » Mt Holly
Location Name or Route
Tushers - Mt. Holly - SE Bowl
Weather
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Some wind trasnport throughout the day. No significant drifting or loading today.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

4" from last storm, low density. Most areas above treeline were wind affected. Surface ranged from bullet proof to sastrugi to wind slabs to rocks in very short distances. Many areas are only skiable due to supportable crusts or loading. The snow pack is very thin HS 14-16" @ treeline in sheltered areas. The good news is that the dry fall and early winter did not produce many basal facets in most places. Any Basal facets are very limited in extent.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Wind slabs were the primary concern in the alpine. Some minor localized cracking, no shooting cracks. I did travel over some areas of hollow sounding wind slabs.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

I encountered wind slabs up to 8" thick sitting on top a variety of surfaces. Most stayed in place, however, I did avoid the 35 degree+ entrance to the SE bowl and traversed in from lower angle terran. Sleds do climb this gully at times.

Mostly a moderate danger, that being said I still avoided steep wind affected slopes.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #2 Comments

Thin snow pack!

Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
11,500'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments

No real snow profile today the photo above and below are good indicators of current conditions in this area, very variable!

Photo below panorama looking north from the summit of Mt. Holly, very thin conditions.

The primary reason most areas are skiable is due to a supportable crust.

Eagle Point is still closed due to thin conditions. They are located on private land and do not allow skiing on closed runs. The backcountry gate is still accessible from the upper lot.

If anyone wants to get in touch with me about snow/avalanche questions in SW Utah, I can be reached at [email protected]. I would be happy to walk anyone through the observation process. All observations are appreciated.

Overall a low danger below treeline, the primary hazard is the thin snow pack. Mostly a moderate danger above treeline with perhaps a pocket of considerable.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates