Observation: Sundance backcountry

Observation Date
3/25/2019
Observer Name
evelyn
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » North Fork Provo R. » Sundance backcountry
Location Name or Route
Sundance backcountry
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Good refreeze overnight, I was in and out in the cool morning before the day's heating began.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Yesterday's storm dropped about 4 to 6 inches of mostly graupel at 8,000', decreasing with elevation to a scant inch of gruapel at 7,100' on a supportable crust. 7,000' was probably yesterday's rain/snow line. Good solid overnight refreeze with temperatures in the mid 20s, and the snow was just starting to get damp on the lower, sunny slopes at 11 am.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
8,000'
Slope Angle
41°
Comments
Pit location probably had some graupel pooling and added snow depth from sluffing from a cliff a ways up slope. I moved over to an almost due north facing slope at the same elevation and did a quick pit, and found the same layering, just a bit closer to the surface. Most interesting layers were two graupel layers about 70 to 80 cm down. No results with an ECT, but putting a shovel behind the block popped the block out on these layers. Photo below showing position of the reactive older graupel layer.
The snow pack that would probably be the most interesting to look at would be above about 9,500', on slopes that have slid one or more times this winter.
Fun snow surface of new graupel.
Below, a quick look at northerly, 7200'. Good refreeze below a thin layer of new graupel. Below that, layers of crumbling crusts and moist snow. I saw no pooling of water, snow pack seems to be going towards isothermal in an orderly way so far.
At these mid and low elevations, avalanche danger will rise each days with heating. Need to watch the overnight temperatures - a lack of a good refreeze will elevate the wet slide danger.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None