Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
5/22/2019
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Notch Mountain
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Comments
I got out yesterday morning for some laps at dawn. 5 inches of light new snow. Looking around, there was absolutely no evidence of any wet slides. Mt. Watson was fully intact which is unusually this time of year. Typically the lookers right of the main big east line pulls out in the spring failing near the ground. Not the case this year. In fact the cornice is setup around Mt. Watson with no on the ground entrance possible. The pick below is of the north facing West Notch Couloir. It is also corniced up around the entire entrance. Although I was in a snow storm when I was up top it looked like you could get in skiers left but my concern given the low new snow density and steepness of the slope was for a fast loose snow slide which in this long running couloir is unacceptable for me. I kept to the low angle open terrain just below to the south. The cold temps have kept the snow pack setup and our go anywhere conditions continue. There is plenty of snow to ride and ski out there. The road was plowed to mile marker 20 but while I was out UDOT ran the grader up to 2 more miles to 22 so that 2 less miles of whoops to contend with. The turnaround at mile marker 22 is large enough to spin a 4 spot trailer.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low