Observation Date
3/29/2018
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Mirror Lake Highway » Bald Mtn Pass
Location Name or Route
Murdock Peak/Bald Mt.
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mix of clouds and sun with northwest winds keeping the temperatures on the cool side and keeping the snow conditions from getting too soft and damp and the higher elevations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Couple inches new snow from yesterday's on and off snow showers up around Bald Mt. Pass. Snow conditions are staying suprisingly good with some wind crusts scattered around and dry snow in protected north facing terrain. Great time of the year to move around the high country with mostly stable conditions and supportable riding. Snow at the lower elevations was damp on the return trip to the trail head.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The west and northwest winds still keeping the temperatures cool and the threat of a few wind slabs in exposed terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
A few wind slabs in the more exposed area would crack, but not move all that much. Some hollow sounding wind slabby snow might still have some energy with the possibility of isolated wind slabs breaking.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
As observed with the large natural avalanche on Murdock Peak, given the right slope with shallow snow and enough weight and a trigger, slides breaking to the ground are still possible.
Comments
This large natural connected avalanche on Murdock Peak possibly happened last weekend with rain, wind and heavy wet snow. Thinking a cornice or shallow wind slab off the ridge line crashed down and triggered the deeper avalanche under the rocks where the snow pack has remained thin all season? A few hundred feet across and 3' deep crown failing on weak faceted sugary snow might be a good guess?
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
