Observation: Currant Creek Peak

Observation Date

1/13/2019

Observer Name

Andy Nassetta / Bo Torrey

Region

Uintas » Nobletts » Mill Hollow » Currant Creek Peak

Location Name or Route

Current Creek Peak via Nobletts

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

As Craig said, the persistent problems have been hanging around. Last weekends snow proved to be a load for the snow pack and lend hand to many of the avalanches we observed today. Small avalanches and large alike, failing on weak snow in the mid portion of the snow pack and some even stepping down into old snow at the ground.

We observed large avalanches widespread throughout the area of the range on the East half of the compass, where these weak layers are producing problems. Also observed, were riders pushing the limit and riding even bigger terrain on these same aspects.

As always when avalanches are in question, resort back to terrain and travel choices to keep us away from the low probability of encountering the dragon, but the high consequence of it breathing fire.

Snow Profile

Aspect

East

Elevation

9,700'

Comments

The photo above is from the pit that dug on our way into the area after rolling up on a few avalanches that occured late last week on the southeast side of Heber Mtn. We cued in on a layer of concern mid-pack and confirmed the avalanches failed due to facets on a crust.

The following photos are of noted activity from today, likely occurring mid last week and failing mid-pack as well.

Images one through three are of a slide off Heber Mtn, followed by image four displaying another slide just down the ridge to lookers right.

Images five and six are off the south east face of Current Creek Peak, with a larger than expected debris pile,

Bo hanging out for scale in image six.

Seven and eight, are of the larger of the slides we had the chance to check out this afternoon. This thing was over 300' wide and ranged from 4-6' in depth. This hard slab avalanche was connected and produced quite a debris pile, enough to bury a car..

The final two images are of some of the cool snow surfaces observed today. up first is surface hoar that we found widespread and intact, if not destroyed by prevailing weather before this weeks projected storms, it could prove to be problematic. And to cap it off, a photo of sastrugi in the making!