Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!

Observation: Smith-Moorehouse

Observation Date
12/13/2023
Observer Name
Manship and Nassetta
Region
Uintas » Smith-Moorehouse
Location Name or Route
Smith and Moorehouse
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mild weather today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Structure is there to have a PWL problem, it seems that it is adjusting to the load.
Comments
We covered W-N-E aspects at 9800' to see what the weak snow was looking like in the north part of the range. We found that like other places, the weak layer consists of a couple different crusts with the layer of concern about 30cm up from the ground and failing with moderate load in Extended Column Tests below the upper crust.
The mid pack slab from storms falling after the first couple days of December is supportable. If it remains cohesive before the next storm it will serve as a nice base.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate