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Observation: Powder Mountain Backcountry

Observation Date
12/18/2021
Observer Name
Gagne/Duvernay
Region
Ogden » Powder Mountain Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Powder Mountain Backcountry
Weather
Sky
Few
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Some surface hoar found in drainage bottoms as well as the near-surface faceting beginning.
HS (height of snow) on northwest through east slopes varies from 50 - 90 cms. Southerly facing slopes 20-40 cms consisting of mostly recent storm snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Numerous loud collapses and cracking. Comments on poor snowpack structure follow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Found 10-30 cm layer of faceted snow on northwest - north - east aspects above 8000'. The weakest snow was 2 mm grains of well-developed facets just underneath the recent storm snow.
Full propagation with extended column tests ranging from ECTP3 - ECTP18. All were failing on faceted layer just underneath recent storm snow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,200'
Comments
Widespread collapsing and cracking kept us to slopes less steep than 30 degrees on aspects facing northwest through east. Recent storm snow slab is F-hard near the surface and increases to 1F right at the interface with old, faceted snow surface prior to storms beginning on 12/9.
Southerly-facing slopes had at best patchy snow prior to recent storms so this will be go-to terrain for the time being as there is no weak snow on these aspects.
Some minor cornice development noted along ridges.
With the exception of upper elevation aspects facing northwest through east where there is a Considerable avalanche danger due to a stronger slab on top of the persistent weak layer of facets, most of the terrain in the area we explored has a Low or Moderate danger where the primary concern is a shallow wind drift and loose sluffing on steep aspects.
Thanks to snow safety team at Powder Mountain for assisting us getting into their backcountry terrain. The UAC values the relationships we have with Utah resorts. Thanks!
Video with discussion of snowpack.
Video
Video of ECTP8
Video
Cracking and collapsing
Video
View towards Ben Lomond showing many slopes beginning to fill in.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable