Observation: Ogden Mountains

Observation Date
1/18/2021
Observer Name
Daniel Turner
Region
Ogden » Ogden Mountains
Location Name or Route
Ogden Mountains 8000' North -Easterly slopes
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
This morning started in the teens with skyes overcast. Afternoon produced some beautiful blue skies with plenty of sunshine. Late afternoon brought us some snow flurries with an accumulation of about 1"
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2.5'
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Todays tour produced a little of everything from wind drifted snow, and recycled powder, to an freshen up of an inch of powder! We experience cracking a whumpfing on many of our low angle slopes we chose to tour on.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wide spread cracking whumpfing, and collapsing at our buried persistent weak layer.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Comments
We are dealing with extremely challenging conditions. In one instance you can experience wide spread cracking an whumpfing from our buried persistent weak layer, and in the next second get few to no results from your standardized tests in your pit, as this seemingly very reactive layer reacts stubbornly. Truly a ticking time bomb. Our only option is to continue making conservative terrain choices out of avalanche terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates