Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/5/2020
Observer Name
Bo Torrey, Andrew Nassetta
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Current Creek Peak via Nobletts
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Avalanche Problem #1- Persistent Slab Avalanche
Southerly Facing Slopes (SW-S-SE) This is now the primary layer of concern and is what is responsible for Friday and Saturday's human triggered avalanches. Today, we found this Crust & Facet combination on slopes facing South and Southeast. We dug on a mid-elevation SW slope and did not find this crust and facet combination but that could have been because of poor pit location.
Northerly facing slopes (NW-N-NE) The persistent weak layer of concern is located roughly 25 cm above the ground and is faceted old snow from October. On Tuesday, Zinnia and I rode in this same area with good visibility and only noted only 1 old avalanche. That day, our stability test did not produce any failure into these weak layers and lead us to believe that this layer was adjusting to the heavy snow above it and becoming less of an issue for the time being. Last week's storm was a good test for that layer and Andy and I wondered if it would be enough to overload the layer and cause avalanches. This morning during our ride out Andy and I had a couple hour window of good visibility to cover as much terrain as possible and we did not see any new avalanche activity on this layer in the area.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,400'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable