Observation: Hoyt Peak

Observation Date
1/23/2021
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,500'
Slope Angle
10°
Comments
I got out today to find about 14 inches of new snow at 10k. Between our long high and dry spells and thin snow pack I wasn't surprised to see that the whole snow pack has rotted out. The snow pack is absolutely unsupportable. Up high along the ridge line I observed the new snow shattering around tree wells as I rode by them. SE facing ridge lines are setup with wind load waves from the SE wind last night. I rode down into a drainage to park but after getting stuck once on the way down I just turned back around. 3 snowmobile holes later and I ended up at 8500 ft to ski where the snow was manageable.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High