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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/13/2020
Observer Name
Craig Gordon
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Wolf Creek Pass/Bowl
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Beautiful start to the day with cold temps and clear skies. Increasing clouds and a bump in the winds late in the day. Weather not effecting snow stability.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
I was able to stitch in 288 turns, but it's still bony... moronie, and the 4" of very light density snow from the 12-12-20 storm isn't dense enough to keep you off the bottom.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
I experienced some pockety cracking on a few, steep, leeward test slopes... nothing too alarming.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Right out of the gates I found a few fresh drifts that cracked out in front of my skis. But, they settled out rather quickly and were generally well behaved as the day wore on.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
Last weeks clear weather produced weak, sugary, surface snow (Near Surface Facets) which are now buried and preserved... and it'll get tricky once we put some weight on top.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate