Observation Date
1/21/2019
Observer Name
Mark Staples
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