Observation Date
3/10/2019
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin backcountry
Comments
Below, this bowl had a natural surface sluff that ran on the right side a couple hundred yards; cuts on the left side would easily clean out everything touched, running a few hundred feet. While this was predictable and "manageable", its more movement than I usually see in that area (sun-sheltered NW, 8000' to 7600'). Deposition gullies clearly would not be a good place to be, and the runout of this area has a deposition area we chose to avoid, opting for lower angle slopes (next), which offered excellent turning.
Next, a natural on the west side of Mt Allen, which appears to have run about 800 feet, with deposition probably in the 4 foot range. This was observed from the valley. The new snow has obscured the starting zone, but the starting zone was probably between 8800' and 9000', with the deposition in a section that eases to 35 degrees, around 8200'. Note that the tree in the lower center of the photo, near the debris pile, is missing branches on the lower trunk.
Next, cutting/pushing on a rollover, with surface sluffing but nothing deeper. 6600', N, 11AM. Photo Alan McKean.
Next, "pushalanche" conditions down low, around 6300' on an exit, NW, 3PM. Some rollerballing beginning around 7000', N aspect, 3PM.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate