Observation Date
3/5/2021
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin-Humpy Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Sunny warm and mostly calm winds and the heat was on today. There was a refreeze last night which helped to keep the snow conditions on the south facing slopes from falling apart.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Yesterdays quick hitting storm left about 2" out in the Whitney area and just enough to keep the sled cool on the hard frozen trail this morning. Getting a little harder to find soft dense snow, but it is out there on more limited areas. Some of the south facing terrain lower in the drainage was hit or miss with supportable snow, when I got off the sled I punched through to the ground in some places.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags observed other than some poor snow structure on south facing slopes. Kind of those conditions where it is supportable then it is not, generally punchy.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
I did not visit much terrain where the persistent weak layer is an issue, but would still list it has the main concern for a bit longer.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Will mention wet snow, although on the north slope with slightly higher elevations where most folks are riding, the wet snow issues are not a problem yet.
Comments
Pretty shallow snow conditions on the south facing terrain with semi-supportable snow until you punch through the slab into the sugary snow on the ground.
Along the higher south facing ridge lines the coverage is ok and will have to see how long the snow stays as the spring season rolls along.
So far the conditions around the trail head are holding up, but I'm afraid they won't last too long with such shallow snow cover.
Went with a moderate hazard given the past history of this snow pack, although today felt like generally a low hazard where I travelled.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
