Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/5/2020
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Area
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
36°
Comments
Since we have had several recent avalanches reported on the sunny-side of the compass I decided to dig at 10,050 ft on a SE aspect 100 ft below the ridge-line in 36 degree sparsely treed terrain. There was no wind loading where I dug. I discovered rounds on the ground, a weak layer about 2-3 cm thick and a stout snow pack to the surface. My ECT failed to produce any results. When I pulled out the isolated column with my shovel it failed on the weak facet layer near the ground, however; the collapse did not propagate across the column. The bottom picture is of the lightly wind loaded terrain on the ridge-line above where I dug. On the north side of the compass I discovered a northwest wind left unsheltered terrain on the ridge-line with an inch thick wind slab skin. All the terrain I was in below the ridge-line was un-effected powder.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate