Observation Date
1/21/2019
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Salt Lake » Bountiful
Location Name or Route
Above Bountiful
Comments
Snowpack here was very weak. Several faceted layers exists. The one that broke repeatedly after 10 taps and propagated a crack across the column was buried 14 inches deep. Mostly it was small facets but I could see a few surface hoar crystals.
Once below 7000 feet the new snow was resting on a thick crust. Under it were damp facets. There wasn't enough new snow at 7000 feet to cause a stability concern in this area.
Somewhere between 7000 and 8000 feet the snowpack becomes dry and weak.
As you go higher, it gets deeper and stronger (I think). I did not go above 8100 feet.
The image below is my snowpit. In the second image you can see the same layer when I cut steep slopes along the road.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates