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Observation: Alexander Basin

Observation Date
12/9/2018
Observer Name
Grainger
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Alexander Basin
Location Name or Route
Alexander Basin
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Traveled up Alexander Basin from the bottom to see what lower-to-mid elevation snowpack looked like. Last week's storm snow has settled significantly, added to the 4F+ --> F slab on top of deeper persistent weak layers that were increasingly present as I gained elevation and stayed in the N-->E aspects. Young surface hoar present in isolated protected areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Multiple paths naturaled during the last storm cycle in upper Alexander, in Depth Hoar Bowl and East Bowl.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
There is a lack of larger basal facets at this elevation but the crust is still present, mostly on the ground. The weak smaller-grained facets are inconsistent from 7000'-8000'+ but still weak where present. Tests showed failure on this layer in places and lack of failure in others. A NE-facing location at 8100' showed side-by-side ECTP9 and ECTX because of this inconsistency.
Comments
NE face at 8100', inconsistency in small-grained facets. ECTP9 here.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates