Observation Date
3/10/2018
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Smith-Moorehouse » Erickson Basin
Location Name or Route
Erickson Basin
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Warm day even above 10,000'.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Aspect was the key today. Any thing that received sun was crusted in the morning and wet by noon. Shaded north and northeast aspects retained good quality snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
On the skin track up, we were amazed a how weak the snowpack was. You would easily sink in thigh deep in the rotten snowpack. Our snowpit confirmed the mostly unconsolidated snow. While we felt there was a lack of a consolidated slab, the pit test results were definitely alarming.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
As noted in the pit profile, the snowpack is mostly faceted. The ECT breaking below the dirt layer could easily become a large problem with new snow added to the snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
With the high spring sun and warm days, sun exposed slopes could easily start to see some wet activity. In the areas we were at the snowpack was mostly unsupportable so the danger of wet slides could increase rapidly.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
We were expecting a more consolidate and supportable snowpack. Based on our ski penetration when skinning, we were not expecting much of a slab. A quick hand pit showed a loose slab. Our pit results definitely had us up our guard for the day. The compression test breaking at the ground definitely caught our attention. The extended column test broke mid pack, but both exhibited loose slab characteristics. We felt it could be easy to trigger a slide on a weak spot that had potential to step down to the ground.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
