Observation: Snowbasin

Observation Date
5/12/2019
Observer Name
Calvin Earl
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin
Location Name or Route
Porky Cirque above Snowbasin
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Sluffing on 35 degree slopes. Lots of avi and cornice debris. One 400 lb chunk of cornice material went 300 yds downhill. Huge cornices still waiting to fall on North and East facing slopes.
Comments
I summited the saddle just South of Mt. Ogden on Sunday (Porcupine Cirque), at 2pm. As I skinned over the crest, the wet snow on the skin track was starting to sluff off. I also noticed as I made the first two downhill turns, snow would sluff and keep going. The point is, 2pm is too late in the day for going above the top of Porky lift. I knew that, but got caught in traffic in Weber Canyon. I decided to go for it anyway, but it was a little sketchy.
Didn't see any hard Spring snowpack on the entire route - take your fat or mid-fat skis! My skinny boards seriously dig in on the downhill. Midmountain was more firm.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates