Observation Date
1/25/2019
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden » Ogden Mountains
Location Name or Route
ogden mts. 5500-8000 ft.
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
strong west winds on the ridges above 7500ft. Little wind below 7500
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wind blown in exposed areas above 7500ft.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Much wind loading going on above 7500ft.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
both soft slabs and hard slabs are out there, but seemed to be quite stubborn. No activity seen and I could not get any movement jumping on test slabs in wind loaded areas.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
I dug pits at 6000, 7000, 7500, 8000 and the weak faceted layer is down at 60cm (23 inches) below the surface as found as the 'thin grey line'. I could not bet good propagation at any level. This seems to be stabilizing quite well.
Comments
Poking around the past two days looking at the snowpack the main issue seems to be the wind loading in the exposed areas above 7500ft. I could not get the faceted layer to fail but of course may fail if wind loaded in the correct location.
no exciting photos! Photo 1 of the settling during in the past week. Photo 2 of the wind loading on the uptrack in 2 hours time at 7500ft.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
