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Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date
11/12/2022
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A chilly start to the day with single temps in Evanston, but several degrees warmer on the forest. It was mostly cloudy with some periods of sunshine and gusty southeast winds on the ridge line. A bit more sunshine later in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Nice soft snow conditions with good supportability for sledding, a bit wind slabby on the exposed ridge lines and generally I think the Whitney Basin looks quite good for the middle of November.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Gusty southeast winds today was moving snow around, but I did not come across much in the way of sensitive wind slabs or drifts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I would think along the higher exposed ridges a few wind slabs could be found and now that more terrain is getting filled in, it is possible to travel into steeper and more avalanche prone slopes.
Comments
Most riders are getting up the highway a couple miles and unloading around the Whitney turn off.
In Whitney Basin above 9,000' the snow conditions are quite decent and I can remember some December and January months that did not have this kind of coverage. There is good supportable snow for sledding and turning, but it is early season and there are plenty of hazards to watch out for.
There is roughly 24 to 30" in the upper Whitney area and it is riding quite good and sleds are able to stay off the ground with some supportable snow underneath. The snow pack feels generally right side up with soft snow on top and getting harder towards the ground. It feels like a nice start to the season right now.
There was some old signs of shallow snow avalanches that likely happened during the past storm and maybe some more recent fresh wind slabs that avalanched naturally from strong southerly winds.
There is good coverage looking around the Whitney area, although some of the south facing slopes are still thin.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates