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Observation: Hoyt Peak

Observation Date
2/5/2021
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Area
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Comments
I got out today to find 4 inches of medium density snow over our now crushed 7 inches of light density from Wednesday with an additional 2 inches falling while I was out in the afternoon. The snow pack is upside down. The west wind was having it's way with the new snow capping off our light powder with a soft slab on top. There is plenty of tension in the new snow and it wants to slide there just isn't much snow, at least on the south. I tried kicking what tiny cornices we have but with our recent warm weather the cornices are setup and there just isn't enough new snow to get anything moving. No skiing on the north for me today. In my opinion, a foot of new snow on our faceted Colorado snow pack is going to make any slope over 30 degrees questionable. When there is good snow on the south, seems to me there is no point is messing with the north with our current snow pack structure.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable