Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
3/12/2018
Observer Name
Andrew Nassetta / Bo Torrey
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Nobletts / Currant Creek Peak
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
It was all over the map today with snow conditions today. The sun and winds have had their way with a much of the safer riding terrain. Managed to find some decent riding conditions in protected slopes down and off high ridges, and out from under and larger wind loaded suspect slopes. Coverage is still thin in a lot of areas and objects and small terrain traps still present a hazard, a common theme this year.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Things are definitely tricky out there. Spring riding is upon us and dragons are still lurking. Persistent weak layers were found on all aspects of the compass but south, and at varying depths and elevations. The most widespread weak layer was found on SE through NW aspects, and hid in a range of depths from 50 to 70 cm under the snow surface. It is a funky mess of facets and crusts that at times responded to stability tests and at other times did not (see videos below). Definitely takes some digging and doing of homework to safely ski and ride bigger, more suspect avalanche terrain this year.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
10,200'
Slope Angle
33°
Comments
First three photos are looking at a slide that occurred on Currant Creek Peak yesterday, March 12. The avalanche was human triggered from below and failed on weak, faceted snow near the ground. The avalanche occurred on a 33 degree slope on a southeast aspect at 10400'. It was 1 to 2 feet deep and 150' wide. It ran until it hit a natural bench where photo three was taken, at the toe of the debris pile. Photo four is evidence of a pocket that pulled out a few days earlier just down the shoulder of where the avalanche occured.
A few images from a slide that we came across this morning on our commute. It was later confirmed and reported that the slide occurred yesterday, March 11, and was triggered just a few feet off the main trail from below. Where the slide occurred on the slope was 38 degrees and the crown was 75' wide and 1' deep. The slide failed at the ground on basal facets and ran into the road cut as seen in the photos.
First photo of the two is looking at the NE face of Currant Creek Peak 10,500'. The second photo is looking into the southern facing meadows just down off of the high ridges at 9500'. Coverage is thin, but theres coverage.
Pretty easy to get side tracked traveling out in the mountains, fortunately this time it worked out in our favor. Check out this spot we found on our way back home displaying a great example of what we call "test slopes". Notice how the smaller slopes represent the same aspect, elevation and slope angle of the larger avalanche prone slope behind them. These small slopes are great place stomp around, dig, and get a feel for the snow and the bigger picture while staying safe.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates